Shout joyfully to God, all the earth!
     Sing praises to the glory of God’s name!
        Make glorious his praise!
 Say to God:
“How awesome are your works!” – Psalm 66

Sometimes all the elements of what it means to live in a lovely small town come together in a deep, satisfying sigh of “Yes, life is good.” Especially in a week like this one, featuring the perfect balance of cool mornings, sunny afternoons, mild evenings and spring at the height of spectacular bloom.

Early morning walks with Max as the sun spills in over the horizon, the perfect quiet of the common as first light begins to splash in amongst the trees and the birds begin to sing.

Accompanying Rebekah to visit a friend, detouring on the way back to admire some of the historic homes on Park Avenue, then stopping in at the coffee house for a delicious Church Street Deli sandwich – all without even thinking about using a car.

Pulling a few weeds in the garden. Sipping a cold drink on the front porch and hollering “what a beautiful day!” to some passer-by or the cohort of power-walking women who claim – and own – the middle of the street.

Our beautiful church commanding the corner of Saint Patrick and Saint James, just 150 steps away for worship, Bible study, fellowship, prayer, encouragement and so much more.

Bike-riding in the afternoon through the historic district, down by the Tar River and through some of the quiet neighborhoods.

Then dressing up just a little before walking a block and a half up Saint James Street into the center, because we have dinner reservations at On the Square. And there we greet good people we love, sit at a quiet table for two in the back, and feast on some of the best cuisine available, well, anywhere in North Carolina.

We enjoy an unhurried meal and then we don’t leave before visiting with more good people and eventually spilling out onto the sidewalk again. And we walk slowly, luxuriously, holding hands in the beautiful evening until we reach our front porch, where Rebekah has some refinishing project underway, and we are greeted by the giant golden retriever who has been watching for us to return.

So today is Saturday April 11 and it is already a phenomenally beautiful day. I am sipping a cup of amazing good coffee in the kitchen before fixing a late breakfast. Outside, all of creation seems to be confirming the words of the Psalmist: “Shout joyfully to God, all the earth… say to God: ‘How awesome are your works!'”

Grateful – DEREK