God's Abundant Gifts

by: Melanie Moore

Work deadlines. School plays. Sports practices. Doctor's appointments. Pickups and drop-offs. 

Does  this sound familiar to you?

My life has been unusually chaotic lately, and my energy (and spiritual) tank has felt like it was running on empty. I'm sad to say that when life gets chaotic, two things normally occur in my life:

I don't make time for God's Word.

I stop noticing all the blessings God has given me.

I hate to even admit those things, but I now in my heart it's true. This week our family has enjoyed a much-needed break away from the chaos of our "real life", and it's given me a chance to reflect on how I want to spend my time when we get back home.

Somehow, the draw of the "urgent" has replaced the need for what's really "important" in my life. How many times have I rushed from one activity to the next without stopping to appreciate all of the gifts God has placed along the way? 

As I stood along the ocean, I took a moment to breathe in deeply and thank God for this moment. For this sunshine. This fresh air. The health I have to enjoy this day. The family that surrounds me. Their crazy laughs and antics.

All gifts from God above.

I want to live each day in appreciation and thankfulness for God's abundant gifts. I want to intentionally take time to notice all that He is doing in and around me, and to respond in thanks to Him. How could I ever be too busy to notice and appreciate all that God has done for me?

 

I will extol you, my God and King,

    and bless your name forever and ever.

2 

Every day I will bless you

    and praise your name forever and ever.

3 

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,

    and his greatness is unsearchable.

~ Psalm 145

Let's endeavor to live each day in awe of God's goodness and power. He is in the vastness of the ocean, and the depths of the sea. He is also in every tiny detail of our lives, creating each grain of sand. 

Would you join me in taking some intentional time today to pause and be still before the Lord? What do you see, taste, hear, smell, or touch around you that has been graciously given by God? I encourage you to join me today in identifying each of these gifts, perhaps take out a notebook and jot down each thing that you notice from the Lord.