There is a country song by George Strait that laments about how long it took him to figure out things in his life. The lyrics humorously admit that he was wrong about a lot of things and slow to the dance on many others. One of my favorite lyrics in that song is when he hears “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong and it brings a tear to his eye. “After all these years,” Strait sings, he finally gets that song.

Me too.

That song by Louis Armstrong sees the beauty in this sometimes-ugly world. Flowers, the blue sky, rainbows, smiles, love, and babies crying. And like a modern psalmist, Armstrong sits back and with a smile in his distinctive voice proclaims to himself and others that it is a wonderful world. Martin Luther said that “God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees, and flowers, and clouds, and stars.” I believe that more than ever.

We began this journey hoping that together we could find ways to eliminate distractions and examine attitudes that keep us from enjoying more connection to God and one another. Devices, distractions, worry, cynicism, and ingratitude were just a sampling of the external and internal things that keep us from enjoying the moment.

Now I am determined to not let the devil or devices (sometimes they are one and the same) rob me of a precious moment. I hear people complaining about insignificant things, and I want to take their hand and show them the blessings all around them. I hear pundits and others spewing hateful rhetoric, and I want to tell them to relax—God is in control.

I read passionate and too often ugly responses on social media, and my heart hurts. We don’t consider that we are attacking, demeaning, and demonizing a human created in the image of God. I look for any chance to show kindness, and I thank God that my circumstances are not bigger than He is.

While I was finishing the manuscript of Waking Up Slowly I encountered a travel nightmare. My flight was delayed, and the updates were not particularly helpful. It had already been a long day, and the late arrival was unfortunate. We finally took off, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I took a taxi to the hotel and trudged to the clerk at the desk. Somehow, there was no reservation logged for me. The hotel was completely full, and there were no rooms at the half-dozen or so hotels that the employee called.

My previous reaction would have been indignation. I might have dropped my status with that hotel chain. Without question I would have made the hotel clerk feel bad about how much I was being inconvenienced. I was never one to go off in anger, but I was entirely capable of cynical comments.

But the lessons of this journey were fresh in my mind. Be kind. This is not her fault. Be grateful. This is not even a blip on the world-suffering scale. Be confident. God is in control and this will work out.

Again the message of Colossians came to mind.

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. (Colossians 3:12-15, NLT, Emphasis added)

Eventually I located a hotel not too far away and went about the fun task of finding a taxi in a small city at two o’clock in the morning. I finally checked in and smiled at how God gives pop quizzes when we are asking the Spirit to teach us.

I had navigated that travel ordeal without raising my blood pressure or incriminating someone without knowing who messed up. I learned the next day that I was the guilty party who had forgotten to follow up to confirm the reservation.

Thank You, God, that I did not blame a person who was merely doing her job and had done nothing wrong. Sadly, I have done that before. Perhaps I am learning that a truly happy person enjoys the scenery on life’s detours. There are storms and trials in this journey but it truly is a wonderful world when we focus on our blessings and hope in Christ.

Excerpted from Waking Up Slowly book