Everyday Gifts
Thinking a lot about thankfulness lately.
It struck me that there are some obstacles to joy; namely thank-less-ness or ingratitude. Not intentionally ungrateful. Just too busy to notice.
It’s easy to be thankful “in general”, but harder to be thankful in particular. Life rushes by and we miss the moment by moment gifts from God. God has arranged each moment. He is not randomly letting things happen. He knows and orders. Every good thing comes from Him. Yet, we fail to receive them as the gifts they are because we fail too notice them.
- A rosy sunset over the back yard pond…
- Chubby hands that wrap around your waist for a full body hug…
- The warmness of a cup of tea in cold hands…
- Rows of little shoes by the front door…
- The bubbling of a warm soup on the stovetop…
All of these everyday things could be named and received as gifts if we took the time to slow down and realize that they are just that. In the slowing down, we focus and look up. Each moment is holy when we acknowledge the Giver.
But in the busyness of the moment we miss it all. Always running to catch up. To do the next thing. To be efficient–and we miss it. It is gone. We fail to live in the moment.
This year, my goal is to give thanks, in all things. Even the little things.
I am starting a “Simple Gifts” journal. I hope to record all the things I am thankful for. My premise is that I cannot be as easily ungrateful if I am intentionally thankful. I don’t want to give in to the serpents lie—the same line he used with Eve back in the garden- that God is really withholding something good from me, and if I just had ____________ I would be even happier. Able to see clearly and be more fulfilled…
No, I know that God has given me all I need for true happiness, and that fulfillment comes from knowing him because he is good.
Some examples of eucharisto , translated “giving thanks” in scripture:
- And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. Matt. 15:36
- Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Eph. 5:20
- And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Col 3:17
I am opening my eyes intentionally and embracing all the good gifts that I have been given. I am choosing to see God, the giver, in each moment.