Every Good Gift...

Since reading Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts recently (reviewed here at FR), I have been trying to be more mindful and more thankful for all the many gifts God so graciously sends our way. Things you and I think are so small and sometimes don't consciously notice are gifts from His hand. 

We tend to remember, at least at the communion table, to thank Jesus for giving His life for us. At the meal table, we thank God for His provision, but how thankful are we really as we go through the rest of our day? 

What if we began to view every moment of our lives as a gift from God's heart to ours? What if we practiced an attitude of thankfulness with every breath? How much closer then would we draw near to HIs heart?

This morning, as the sun rose and I was getting ready for work, I stepped outside for a moment and was stunned at what I saw. In the early glow of sun just beginning to peer over the horizon, it seemed everything green had taken on a wondrous glow. It was like a high definition, high resolution picture. 

I thanked the Lord for making all things new; not just in my backyard, but in my home, my family and my life. He has, indeed, done great things for me and my family in the past year. When I stepped back inside to go and brush my teeth, I sighed and thought how nice it would be to take a walk in the chill of dawn and enjoy the radiant green that seemed to be all around. But, I thought, there's not enough time. 

When I got to work, the area where I normally park was closed for resurfacing, so I had to park a few blocks away. I got my chilly morning walk in the green and enjoyed every moment of it. And, I still got to my desk on time. That was God. 

Some reading this, even Christians, might think, "Okay. She's lost her mind now." 

Maybe. Then again, maybe not.

James 1:17 says, Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

In 1 Timothy 6:17, we are told to trust the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.

Whether its the beauty of a sunset, or a word of encouragement from a friend, are these not good gifts, given by the living God who gives us richly all things to enjoy? 

Everything we have, all we can do, all that we see in creation, every moment we still breathe, ALL of it is a good gift from a loving Father's hand who has given us all things to richly enjoy. 

Its time to dig a deep well thankfulness in our hearts for the God who has provided all we need for life and oh, so much more than we could ask or think. Thank You, Lord!