This is one of my favorite mornings of the year. The anticipation. The sound. The sight. The satisfaction. Yes, it is a great morning for a balloon parade!

Each year, our neighboring town hosts a hot air balloon launch over a weekend in June. My delight is that I am able to sit on my back patio and watch as these beautiful, graceful flying contraptions float by my house.

One of the cool parts of this balloon parade is that you hear them before you see them. Until I moved to this neck of the country, I might have questioned what the sound of a burner was. But now, I know that when I hear that specific sound, there’s a hot air balloon nearby.

Another cool element to this fun morning is the beauty of each balloon. They sport a variety of colors, patterns and designs. Some are sponsored by organizations while most are private outfits with their own branding. Most are the normal shape of a hot air balloon, but then there are the occasional odd-shaped balloons. That’s part of the fun. Always wondering what will come into view next!

Isn’t that what life is like? Never really sure what will happen next. Will it be good news of a job? Will it be disappointing news of a medical diagnosis? Will the next thing bring a smile or will I be found weeping? Maybe this part of life isn’t fun.

For me, I’m a planner. I don’t like to leave anything to chance. So I plan and organize and am ready for any scenario.

But sometimes, all the planning, organizing and preparedness in the world isn’t enough for what is headed our way.

I do know one thing that we can do regardless of our situation. We can give each moment of each day to God. We can allow His mighty hands to be in control.

You see, King David had great wisdom in trusting God. Why? Because David knew that God knew him. Inside and out, God knew David. Psalm 139:1-4 (NIV) tells us, “O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.”

Guess what? God knows you this intimately as well. God isn’t surprised by what is coming up next in our lives. There’s no guessing with Him. He knows. So why wouldn’t we trust our lives to His capable hands?

And here’s another thought. I am reminded of Isaiah 40:29-31 (NIV). “He gives strength to the weary and increased the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Soar. Rise up like the balloons and eagles of the air. Hope in the Lord. Give Him your life. See what God is able to do through you and for you.

The balloons are gone, but my God is still alive and well and working in my life. I pray that you can say the same.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna