My friend and I sat down together in a coffee shop, the sun streaming in on us through the windows as we sipped our hot tea. We conversed about our lives and the Lord. At one point in our conversation, my friend said something about being thankful for God's hand in our lives.
I piped in saying, "I'm so thankful for all God has done in my life with my college, ministry, work…" and she gently and lovingly interrupted, saying, "What about just the fact that you have parents who love you and each other?" It caught me. How quickly I thought about God's hand and my mind immediately went to the "bigger things" in my life that are wonderful (yet aren't really more important!), but it is so easy to allow them to cause me to forget to be grateful for the simplest things in my life. Loving parents…five really cute and special siblings…a warm house…clothes…There are so many things. And I added to my friend, "You know, we can be grateful even just for the love of God." We tend to "think big" and forget to think smaller and think of the little things God has blessed us with, which, in reality, are much bigger than we think.
God has given each of us gifts. Yours may not be the same as mine, or they may. Either way, all of us who have trusted Christ for salvation have the love of God. Nothing can take that from us. All other gifts are from Him. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change" (James 1:17). His goodness and grace are so amazing. He is worthy of thanks and worship. "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!" (Psalm 106:1).
So, this month, as you think about being thankful, don't forget to be grateful for the numerous, amazing little blessings God sends your way. Right now as I write, sitting on my living room floor, I'm thinking of heat, kettle corn, blogging, soft lights, a fleece top, carpet, and my brother. What can you think of, right now, that you are thankful for? Lift your heart to God in praise for His marvelous gifts. Let's not forget to be thankful for the simple things. They add so much beauty to life and if we miss them, we miss so much.
Learning to give thanks with you,
Christina
Soli Deo Gloria ~ To God Alone Be the Glory!
