11-26-15
SO many gifts!
I woke up this morning with a very thankful heart. Thankful to have a bed. My family went into the city of Santa Ana last night and helped serve food to the homeless there with our church. Many of these dear folks sleep on the hard ground, in weather that by California standards is way too cold to be in a tent or a box. Arthritis runs in my family and I feel it more everyday, but especially when I wake up. I cannot imagine how difficult it would be to “get the creaks out,” as my mom says, after sleeping all night, every night on the hard ground. So I was extra thankful for my bed when I lay down last night and when I woke up. Its an old mattress and really needs to be replaced, but its way better than a sidewalk.
The list of what I’m thankful for goes on and on--for eyesight (failing as it may be!), health, family, friends, freedom, especially freedom in Christ, for my Beloved Savior, for heaven, forgiveness, the beauty of God’s creation all around me every day, singing birds, and the cheeky squirrels that taunt my crazy mutt of a mixed breed dog Bodie. When he sees those playful little rodents running along our fence, he whines and jumps and begs to get out to go show them who’s boss. When I get the slider open, he blasts out in a very mutt-like jumble of a run, grabs a deflated old soccer ball, and starts thrashing it around while growling viciously, so as to say, “So help me, this is what I’m gonna do to YOU if you land in my yard!” It is SO entertaining to watch, although I worry my neighbors might think we’ve gone someone demon-possessed over here. I laugh EVERY time I see this hilarious show of animal personality. And this morning, I remembered to thank God for, in addition to be holy and just and loving, being a fun and creative Creator.
It’s no wonder 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us, “…in all things give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” He gives us endless gifts all day long…too many to even notice with our human faculties, let alone thank remember to thank Him for. It’s only right we would pause to notice some of the gifts. It’s only right to thank the Giver…because He is worthy, and because it absolutely changes our outlook on everything when we become thankful people.
I must say that when I’m truly being led by the Spirit of God, I am even thankful for those unexpected gifts…you know, the ones we don’t want. God sees something different, of eternal significance, something priceless in light of eternity, wrapped beneath the exterior of a “tragedy” or a “trial” or simply a “bummer.” I am learning more every day to ask God for vision to peek beneath that external and see the eternal. 2 Corinthians 4: 18 reminds us, “the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” More on all of that later….I have SO much to say. But for now, on this day and every day, may your heart be thankful. He is a good, good Father, giving good gifts to His children.
Love in Jesus,
Jana