A nod says it all

I bless the holy name of God with all my heart. Yes, I will bless the Lord and not forget the glorious things he does for me. He forgives all my sins. He heals me. He ransoms me from hell. He surrounds me with loving-kindness and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things! My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! He gives justice to all who are treated unfairly. (Psalm 103:1-6 TLB)
What "glorious things" has God done for you lately? If someone asked you that question today, how would you answer them? What is the first thing that would come to mind as something he has "done lately" on your behalf? Many of us would fall back on the old rote answer of having saved our souls and keeping us from all harm, but how could we be more specific in our account? Many times we find the easiest answer comes in the form of those generalized comments, lacking the true thought or consideration behind it. God isn't stingy in his love, so let us not be stingy in our acknowledgement of how he reveals that love in us!
Our answers are to come from "all our heart" - in other words, with some emotion and true appreciation for these things. There are moments when I specifically thank God for keeping me from the pain of colliding with another vehicle in my journey somewhere. I have narrowly avoided an "impact" which would have damaged my vehicle, possibly my body, and the other's life or possessions. It may be due to my distraction, or totally out of my control, but either way, I am intensely grateful for the protection God provided at that very moment when one of us wasn't as "focused" as we needed to be!
There are times in life we become distracted by "life" that we just miss the moments of God's intense blessing. It isn't that we don't receive them, it is that we don't acknowledge them as we should. As easy as it is for us to miss the opportunity to point out those blessings in the moment, it is equally as easy to begin to develop a way to "recount" those blessings - if not immediately, at least at the end or beginning of the day. I think God wants us to have that quiet time with him at some point in our day to help us not miss those moments totally. He wants us to take time to realize all the ways his protection, provision, and power has been operational in our lives.
I had the opportunity yesterday to spend a little time working in the yard on my latest project with the help of my son. I just don't see him as much these days as I'd like to, so every moment with him is cherished (even if we are up to our elbows in dirt and grime). At one moment, I must have had a questioning look on my face as we were attempting to figure out how to level a particular piece of land to be ready to receive my workshop build. In a matter of fact way, he simply stated, "Mom, I've got this! I've done this before." I stared at him a moment and nodded, backing away in delight that he "had it". It made me think of the many times I must look at God with a quizzical look on my face and then hear his answer, "Child, I've got this...I've done this before."
God doesn't expect gigantic moments of praise each and every time he blesses us with his presence, but he does appreciate that same "nod" and then our stepping back to let him continue to display his power, protection, and provision in all the wonderful ways he does! Just sayin!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Steel in your convictions

Is that a wolf I hear?

Sentimental gush