I've been writing these Notes for a long time, in fact, pretty much every week for more than 11 years. Many have been kind enough to respond and say how the Notes have encouraged them. Sometimes they want to discuss a point a little further, perhaps even disagree, or ask a question or two. One I frequently get is, How did you find that lesson in such an ordinary thing?

It's easy to look to intelligence, cleverness, or even luck, but spiritual matters have little to do with these. The source is not ourselves. We don't simply rationalize or theorize, then develop some wonderful story or analogy. Serious depth of meaning comes from God. But it's too easy to simply say, God told me.

The question is a good one, and not just for me. It's one meant for you as well. What? You don't believe you're smart or clever or lucky enough? Well, maybe you're looking at it the wrong way. Let's consider the question again -- How did you find that lesson in such an ordinary thing?

What is an ordinary thing? We tend to regard much in life as commonplace, routine or mundane. But look around. A cardinal sitting in a tree. Water trickling down a window pain. Mist rising in the early morning. Stars passing through the sky. Children, women, men...different ages and walks of life.

We experience such things every day, but ultimately they exist because of the hand of God. Can they really be commonplace, routine or mundane when the One who created the universe is involved? Each and everything around us holds within it the amazing and extraordinary.

How can a lesson be found? The clue lies in desire. Once Jesus was asked why He spoke to the crowds in parables. He replied that their hearts had become calloused, they didn't listen, and they had closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts... (see Matthew 13:10-15) They did not want to find a lesson.

But for those who desire these lessons from God, the answer becomes simple: see ... hear ... understand. Such understanding isn't about what we discover or figure out. It's about what we're shown and told. We just have to be willing to see and hear.

As Christians we are called to encourage...helping each other become strong and giving each other courage so that we may stand as beacons of Christ's love in this dark world. We are to be different, not only in the way we live but in how we see, hear, and understand the things around us.

In the summer of 2008, I met Jack Wattanawongsawang. We were each visiting Alaska for the first time and it turned out we shared a love for photography. I can still see him running from one place to another to capture that perfect shot. I remember it so well because I was often doing the same.

On July 2, Jack stood on the bow of a ship in the Gulf of Alaska and took the picture accompanying this Note. Though 10:05 at night, there, just above the horizon, was the brilliant sun bursting through the clouds. An absolutely beautiful shot. Jack later sent me the picture that he had titled, Exploding. As you remember who you are in this world, look at this picture and dare to be different.

Do you see anything extraordinary? Do you hear God speaking? Do you understand a lesson He has for you? Tell me, even if only to say, Yes. And if you're curious about the lesson I've found in such an ordinary sight, just let me know. I'll be glad to share it.

May every moment of every day find you seeing with your eyes, hearing with your ears, and understanding with your hearts the incredible things God wants to tell you.