One Word

I was just thinking over all the many ways I am blessed today. As I sat this morning with some coffee, reading a little and looking out at the new day, the bright sunrise that was taking place filled me with a sense of gratitude for all that I enjoy today.  So many times I have set out on my day with some sense of awareness of God's blessings, but usually in a hurry and very much aware of the schedule I created and now am determined to keep.

Today was a bit different because the sense of gratitude was very present in a way that almost forced me to stop and think about it. It was as though God Himself was emphasizing for me to just take a few minutes and consider. I won't list all the things that came to my mind for which I am thankful, but there is much to rejoice over as I think about His goodness. I think of where I am at this point of my life, the activities I am involved in, the setting and context in which I live and I realize I am a blessed man.

I'm not rich, but I lack nothing and have plenty. My health, marriage, ministry, sons, mind, are all doing well and experiencing the blessing of the Lord. I realize that trials can come at any time, none of us are exempt from them, but that doesn't rob me of the fact that a good God is in control, and opens His hand to satisfy the desire of every living thing. He promises that no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

I hope today finds you with a sense of gratitude for how life is. Even if you're in the midst of some adversity The Lord has a way of bringing us through tough times. So, I guess today the one word would be thankful. My wife has that word in a decorative display in our kitchen, right over the sink where she does the dishes. "Thankful." It reminds us both of the attitude that helps to express the goodness of God in the land of the living.

May God richly bless you today and give you great reason to be thankful, and then help you and me to remember why!