Things We Take for Granted

 

By Andrea Merrell

Always be thankful. Colossians 3:15b NLT

 

I awoke to a winter wonderland. A blanket of white covered the ground as far as the eye could see.

My first thoughts were how peaceful and beautiful as I turned up the thermostat, made a pot of coffee, and prepared to snuggle in and enjoy some quiet time.

Then my thoughts—and prayers—turned to those who don’t have a thermostat, a coffeemaker, or a place in which to snuggle. Those who are homeless. Those who live in ditches and under bridges without food and proper shelter.

I suddenly found myself filled with gratitude as I became painfully aware of everyday blessings I take for granted. A nice home with heat and air conditioning. A good car that takes me where I need to go. A full refrigerator and pantry. Money to live and pay my bills. Health. Strength. Family. Friends. An awesome church. I could go on and on.

God blesses His children, but He expects us to be aware of where those blessings come from and for us to be thankful—not just on a designated holiday but every single day.

The next time you’re tempted to feel like you’re missing out, stop and take inventory of everything God has given you, things you typically take for granted. You just might be surprised how very blessed you are.

Are You Enjoying Your Life?

 

By Andrea Merrell

 

This day belongs to the Lord! Let's celebrate and be glad today.

Psalm 118:24 CEV

 

I stared at my calendar. The first week of January and my calendar was already filling up. How could I possibly have that much on my plate already?

I had been asking that question for months. As each one passed, the promise of a lighter schedule kept me going.

But it never happened.

At my age, most people are fully retired. Taking it easy. Traveling, Enjoying a slow, uncluttered life. But not me. Along with working part-time (at least I get to work at home) and so many other things that scream for my attention, my calendar keeps filling up almost faster than I can keep up.

A friend commented to me recently that most people my age didn’t have such a busy schedule. Thinking back on our conversation, I wondered how it would be to have that slow, uncluttered life. No agenda. Nothing pressing. No deadlines.

Then I realized how thankful I am for a full life. A busy life filled with purpose and fulfillment. I’m learning to be grateful for my busy schedule and how to navigate it by taking one day at a time. The Bible says, “This day (today) belongs to the Lord.” Our response is to celebrate and be glad in it—no matter what’s on our plate.

Each day is a gift to be enjoyed, not filled with dread or regret. The Bible tells us to trust in the living God who “gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17 NKJV). The choice is ours.

For the record, I might be at the age where it’s okay to sit down and kick back, but I choose to be thankful for the busy life the Lord has given me and enjoy it to the fullest.

How about you?

Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and tuelekza.

Are You Content?

By Andrea Merrell

I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances.

Philippians 4:11 MSG

 

There she was again, complaining about all the things she didn’t have. The woman was beautiful, smart, and talented. She had a good job. Friends. A big family. A hefty bank account. But she was never happy, always focused on whatever seemed out of reach. Always wanting what she couldn’t have.

She was much like Eve. God filled the Garden with every luscious fruit imaginable, yet Eve wanted the only one she was told to stay away from rather than being thankful for the abundant supply all around her. Her negative focus led her straight into temptation, and we all know the rest of the story.

On the other hand, Paul—shipwrecked, beaten, rejected, and imprisoned—learned to be content despite his negative circumstances. He wrote:

I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. (Philippians 4:11-13 MSG)

Paul’s secret? He worried about nothing and praised God for everything. He was thankful for every blessing and never concerned himself about the rest. His focus remained on the One who created and sustained him no matter what was going on in his life. That’s the way to live in peace.

Have you learned to be content?

Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash

  

The Good Ol’ Days

 

By Andrea Merrell

This is the day the Lord has made.
    We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 NLT

 

My grandparents used to talk about their early days when they could buy a Coca Cola for a nickel or gas for twenty-nine cents a gallon. Bread was a quarter, and a brand new car less than five-hundred dollars. They called them the good ol’ days.

But were they really that good? Times were hard. Jobs and necessities were scarce. In those days, people had to work extra long and hard to make enough money to even pay those small prices. In today’s economy, there is no comparison.

The problem comes when we live in the past and dwell on all the things that were good. That’s when we tend to forget about all the good going on in our life today. Prices keep rising. The cost of living goes up almost daily. But we live in a world of abundance, convenience, and incredible technology.

The psalmist said, “This is the day the Lord has made.” That means today. Now. And we are instructed to “rejoice and be glad in it.” To thank God for it. To commit it to Him and trust Him to meet our needs. To live it to the fullest.

Don’t live in the past. Refuse to worry about tomorrow. Embrace today, and thank God for every single blessing He pours out. With Him, the good ol' days are still to come.

 

 Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

TWEETABLE

Don’t live in the past. Refuse to worry about tomorrow. Embrace today, and thank God for every single blessing He pours out. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

 

To read in browser or leave a comment, click here.

An Unexpected Mother's Day Gift

By Andrea Merrell

 

Every good and perfect gift is from above, 

coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, 

who does not change like shifting shadows. 

James 1:17 NIV 

This particular Mother’s Day was an unusual one. After bringing my husband home from a shoulder replacement and a two-day stay in the hospital, I was spending the day reading and watching him sleep. He had jokingly apologized earlier for not getting me a gift or even a card. I assured him it was perfectly okay, considering what he just went through.

My day changed drastically when I picked up a journal to write down some things I’m grateful for. My daughter had given me this beautiful, leather-bound journal some time ago, and I had never used it. When I opened the cover, I realized my daughter gave me the journal ten years ago—on Mother’s Day.

That was blessing enough, but inside were these words:

                  Dear Mom,

I want you to know that I am so very proud of you and how far you’ve come with your writing. You are cultivating a gift that not only are you extremely passionate about, but that inspires others to better themselves. So, thank you for the blessing that you are, especially to me as my mom, but also to those you write to. You say that I’m a great mom … but only because I followed your lead! Happy Mother’s Day!

Love you bunches!

Your Daughter

What an amazing gift, not only from my baby girl, but from my heavenly Father, who knew I needed those words to make my day special.

God knows exactly what we need and when we need it. He takes joy in giving us those unexpected gifts (I call them UBs … unexpected blessings). 

Be thankful and delight in Him. You never know what special gift might be waiting for you.

 

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and adamr.)

TWEETABLE

God knows exactly what we need and when we need it. He takes joy in giving us unexpected gifts. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

To read in browser or leave a comment, click here.