This is going to be short and sweet. But after being MIA for several weeks, I figure I've got to start somewhere, right?
The past few weeks have been a bit of a blur. Over the course of two weeks, we've experienced the joy of seeing every one of our children at different times and places. Each visit was fairly brief, but still, thank You, Lord! Then, in between those visits, it's been the busyness of daily life and working on Bible study lectures--which for me is always a blessing, but is also just plain hard work. Mainly because I'm a mighty slow learner. Sigh.
But finally, last week a wicked respiratory virus wrecked havoc on all my nice little plans for the week. I went to bed one night feeling fine and woke the next morning with head hammering, body aching, and spirits plummeting (though I blame that partly on the Tar Heels brutal loss to Miami).
I learned from the good old Target Minute Clinic that this was not, in fact, the flu but "a virus that mimics the flu." Let me just say, "Well done on the mimicking job, virus germs. You're fooling everybody and doing a bang-up job of making us poor victims miserable. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the flu ought to be awfully proud."
After a loooong week, however, praise God, we're all feeling better and here's my point: good health is such a gigantic GIFT! I'd forgotten how wonderful it is to get up in the morning and get busy...as opposed to staggering to the kitchen for an Advil and a glass of water. I'd forgotten that it's a joy to have the energy to do the laundry, clean up the kitchen, and run errands. For that matter, I'd forgotten how nice it was to leave the house and do anything period. And I'd forgotten that it's actually a blessing to have an appetite for food.
Everyday, ordinary life is a gift that we all too often take for granted. After all, it's the simplest things in our lives that bring us the most pleasure--a hot cup of tea, an orange and pink tinged sunrise, a dog welcoming us home, a good book by a warm fire, a hug from a loved one, a deep laugh shared with friends, a walk on a sunny day, a phone call from a child, a beautiful piece of music, a yummy dinner enjoyed with family.
Have you thanked God for your "ordinary" (but really extraordinary) blessings today? Have you got eyes to read these words? Thank Him. Have you got taste buds to savor your lunch? Thank Him. Have you got legs to walk all over the house gathering laundry or cleaning up? Thank Him. Have you got ears to hear what your spouse or child or parent said to you this morning? Thank Him. Have you got hands to stroke the dog? Thank Him. Have you got fingers to grasp that pen or fork? Thank Him.
Such a simple choice really: will we spend our days fixated on what we lack...or focused on all we possess?
Will our attitude today be one of constant complaining or of consistent thanking? And will our words reflect our grumpiness or our gratitude?
As our amazing friend, Ray Siegler, often said, "Let your life be one gigantic thank you."
If you've been mired in discontentment or discouragement, it's time to jettison the complaint list and start the thanksgiving list. Even if you don't feel like it, start it. After all, we walk by faith, not by feelings. If you're still breathing and reading these words, then you can start there--thank You Lord for that breath...and that one...Start with life's simplest--yet sweetest--gifts. It's never too late to start counting...and start thanking.
So thank You Lord for health, for energy, for my barking dog, for my husband and children, for friends, for Your Word, for the lovely music playing in our house, for hot showers, and for the promise that despite the cold now, spring will eventually come again (walking by faith, not feelings, right?!)
Lord, might our lives be one gigantic thank You.
To God--the Giver of all good gifts--be all the glory.
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