Reminders...I like them. The ones that come by way of sticky notes are my favorites. Most people use their phones these days, but a good a pen and piece of paper are my ultimate choice.
One of these "reminders" beckons me spiritually higher each morning as I enter my bathroom. Written on a tiny strip of blue paper months ago, the color directs my eyes upward toward the top of the mirror and the Scripture, my heart upwards towards the Lord: "Give thanks in all things for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" - I Thessalonians 5:18.
Sometimes, I'd like to NOT see it. Know what I mean? Sometimes, I'd rather NOT see the Words of the Lord that convict me of thanklessness and take away my justification for my sinful actions.
Let's face it. Sometimes it's just hard. It's hard to give thanks when I am grumpy and angry at family members. It's hard to give thanks, when I feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders. It's hard to give thanks, when I have so much to do in a day that I'm afraid it won't all get done.
Sometimes it's hard...but not impossible.
You see, when God chose to draw us to Himself through Jesus Christ, He gave us more than just the gift of exchanging our sinfulness for His righteousness. Scripture says that "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness, (II Peter 1:3).
In other words, we have the power to be thankful, even when we don't FEEL thankful. For instance, when I am angry at someone, I can be thankful that God has put that person in my life to teach me. I can be thankful that God has given me the grace to handle the situation and possibly draw the offending person and myself closer to Himself. I can be thankful that God doesn't treat me the way I would like to treat that person, in that moment!
See what I mean? God, through His Spirit, supplies us with the ability to be thankful, even in seemingly thankless situations.
So with that in mind, what is that hard circumstance that you need to be thankful for today? God may have already brought it to mind - to mine and to yours. So, choose thankfulness. Figure out how to be thankful in it...and then thank Him for IT or for the outcome of IT.
God, You have told me to be thankful in all things. Sometimes, Lord, I really don't want to. Yet, you have said that it is Your will for me in Christ. Therefore, I will choose thankfulness...even in this. I praise You, Lord.
Sunday, November 20, 2016
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Hot Wheels' Cars and Big Brown Eyes
As I watched, I begin to feel a tightness build in my throat. Then, it happened. The tears began to fill my eyes. I hadn't expected to cry while watching this video, but I couldn't help it.
This Operation Christmas Child video flashed pictures of children from other countries opening their gift boxes. The excitement and joy on their faces did this old country girl's heart good. I was actually smiling at the faces of the children, until the face of one little boy caught my attention.
He was a normal child. He didn't seem poor or malnourished. He seemed content and happy. I guess he was about the age of my youngest son, which of course, drew me in a little deeper.
His eyes, though, told a story I will never forget. I can't tell you the last time I saw pure astonishment in the eyes of a child. It was precious. His eyes were huge disks that covered most of his face. He sat there, holding one of the little toys in his shoe box, staring at it as if it were his most prized possession. As he tilted it back and forth, his eyes became bigger and bigger. He was truly in awe...at a Hot Wheels car. It wasn't even one of the fancy ones with all the bells and whistles. I don't even know if it was a true "Hot Wheels" brand. It was one color. It was simple. And yet, to this little boy, it was the most valuable thing he'd ever had in his life.
I immediately began to think of the multiple Hot Wheel's vehicles my sons have had over the years and how they now are stored in a bin somewhere, remaining untouched for an untold amount of time. I thought of all the other "things" in my life that would create eyes of astonishment in the faces of so many other people. And I began to be really convicted about "My Shoeboxes." You know, the ones that I will be sending out to children all over the world this year.
I thought about how I needed to pray over the boxes and the items before I buy them. I have done that before, but I will pray more specifically and intentionally now. I will ask that God show me the exact items needing to be placed in those boxes...no matter the cost. I will pray that He uses those items - even though they are just things - to reach some child or some Mom and Dad for Jesus. I will pray that God blesses that child's family above and beyond all that they could ever ask or imagine (Eph. 3:20). And I will thank God that as I give...as we give as a family...that He will do something within the lives of my own children to draw them to Himself and astonish them with Himself.
I challenge you...if you have never put together a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child, make this the year that you do. Go online to SamaritansPurse.org and watch a few of these videos yourself. You might see my little friend with the Hot Wheel's car.
Make sure to check out the information about the box contents, as well, to assure that all your items make it into the arms of a child. Then, pray. Pray as I have said, or pray for other things as God directs. Whatever the case, if you are able, fill a shoe box for Jesus...and for the astonishment of a child.
Thank You, Father for allowing me this simple opportunity to give. Thank You that You delight in my gift and so does the child that will receive it. Thank You, Father.
This Operation Christmas Child video flashed pictures of children from other countries opening their gift boxes. The excitement and joy on their faces did this old country girl's heart good. I was actually smiling at the faces of the children, until the face of one little boy caught my attention.
He was a normal child. He didn't seem poor or malnourished. He seemed content and happy. I guess he was about the age of my youngest son, which of course, drew me in a little deeper.
His eyes, though, told a story I will never forget. I can't tell you the last time I saw pure astonishment in the eyes of a child. It was precious. His eyes were huge disks that covered most of his face. He sat there, holding one of the little toys in his shoe box, staring at it as if it were his most prized possession. As he tilted it back and forth, his eyes became bigger and bigger. He was truly in awe...at a Hot Wheels car. It wasn't even one of the fancy ones with all the bells and whistles. I don't even know if it was a true "Hot Wheels" brand. It was one color. It was simple. And yet, to this little boy, it was the most valuable thing he'd ever had in his life.
I immediately began to think of the multiple Hot Wheel's vehicles my sons have had over the years and how they now are stored in a bin somewhere, remaining untouched for an untold amount of time. I thought of all the other "things" in my life that would create eyes of astonishment in the faces of so many other people. And I began to be really convicted about "My Shoeboxes." You know, the ones that I will be sending out to children all over the world this year.
I thought about how I needed to pray over the boxes and the items before I buy them. I have done that before, but I will pray more specifically and intentionally now. I will ask that God show me the exact items needing to be placed in those boxes...no matter the cost. I will pray that He uses those items - even though they are just things - to reach some child or some Mom and Dad for Jesus. I will pray that God blesses that child's family above and beyond all that they could ever ask or imagine (Eph. 3:20). And I will thank God that as I give...as we give as a family...that He will do something within the lives of my own children to draw them to Himself and astonish them with Himself.
I challenge you...if you have never put together a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child, make this the year that you do. Go online to SamaritansPurse.org and watch a few of these videos yourself. You might see my little friend with the Hot Wheel's car.
Make sure to check out the information about the box contents, as well, to assure that all your items make it into the arms of a child. Then, pray. Pray as I have said, or pray for other things as God directs. Whatever the case, if you are able, fill a shoe box for Jesus...and for the astonishment of a child.
Thank You, Father for allowing me this simple opportunity to give. Thank You that You delight in my gift and so does the child that will receive it. Thank You, Father.
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