Look For Things to Appreciate

An attitude of gratitude is often like sending a child on a treasure hunt. Some years back while living in Montana we took our oldest grandchildren to an old gold mining town called Bannock. This town was the first territorial capitol of Montana and had a gold strike that rivaled the one in California.

Today this historic “ghost town” welcomes visitors to tour its old buildings. In the summer dirt is brought from the local creek for young and old to try their hand at panning for gold. No panner ever walks away empty handed although very few ever find a nugget of any substance. The earth is rich with garnets and little flakes of gold dust are not uncommon. I remember how excited our grandson was when he found those little flakes but he was equally as excited to find a pan laden with dark red garnets.

The excitement was in the search and the anticipation of what might be found!

I see each day as a treasure hunt. I know God has promised to fill it with His blessings. I just have to keep my heart open to what is before me. This morning I have already found one of today’s treasures – our 5th wheel trailer.

As I’m writing this I can smell the four-legged visitors who are patrolling the campground in search of unsecured food. We were told about the skunks when we checked in and yesterday morning on our walk we were certainly aware that they had been in the area the night before and now I sense (smell) their presence again.

Last summer we had an experience with two skunks who came into our camp looking for food and they found it. I didn’t realize that I had left the dog food container on the table. The skunks pushed it off and the container spilled open. We were sleeping in a tent and I felt somewhat vulnerable when I heard the ruckus only a couple yards away.

The last couple of nights I haven’t given those critters a second thought as I climbed into bed. The door was shut behind me and they were no threat. You see, I found a treasure in the warmth and security of my surroundings. Thank you Lord.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders work for nothing. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the men who watch over it stay awake for nothing. You rise up early, and go to bed late, and work hard for your food, all for nothing. For the Lord gives to His loved ones even while they sleep.” Psalm 127:1-2 NLV

For me the treasure of peaceful sleep is invaluable!

There you have it – I have given you two treasures I have found this morning and I’ve only been up a little over an hour. Two treasures that have already filled my heart with joy – a secure dwelling and peaceful sleep!

I wonder what other treasures I will find as I go about my day? Look for God’s blessings and you’ll find them. Be grateful for small blessings.

Enriched Living

All this week I have been back to work on the book I am writing. It is filled with Scripture and each time I include another verse the Holy Spirit reminds me of the time that verse became a reality to me and not just words on a page.

I cannot begin to explain how choosing to live according to God’s word and His promises have enriched my life.

Some of you know me well and others only through these words on a page. I feel I need to say this, in case you have the idea that I never know struggles or disappointments. Nothing could be farther from the truth. It has been in those times that I have dug deeper into God’s word to find the answers I needed and the unshakable foundation that He has promised.

When the Word of God lives in our hearts we can give thanks to God in whatever we do. You see, if we have His word we have His wisdom, His strength, His power, His blessing.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 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.” Colossians 3:16-17

I am particularly drawn to the phrase in the verses above “dwell in you richly”. Over my lifetime I have stayed in many different hotel rooms. Anything from the Mom n Pop, small town motor courts to the luxury view rooms in large cities. And I’ve stayed in some real dumps, places you wanted to have someone standing guard at the door as you slept. I prefer to stay in the ones where I can dwell richly.

The beds are bigger, the pillows softer, the showers are heavenly and they are so spacious that I don’t trip over the furniture when I get up in the middle of the night. It’s nice.

That’s the atmosphere I want God to feel He has in my life. I don’t want Him to be forced to “dwell” in a life that pushes Him to the back room or the broom closet. I want Him to come in and feel welcomed. I want to roll out the red carpet and make Him the honored guest of my heart. I desire to give His word pre-eminence over everything and everyone.

I have folks ask me don’t you ever get down and I answer “yes, but it’s only when I have my eyes on myself”. If I am looking at God and His word, I see that He loved me before the foundation of the world; He sent His Son to die so that I will have a new & abundant life; He is ever-present to be my help and strength; He has blessed me with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places so how could I possibly be down? I have to give Him praise!

Jesus, who is The Word, said He came to give us a life overflowing. That’s the same picture that King David paints for us in Psalm 23 when he said “my cup runs over”.

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” John 10:10 AMPC

I am so blessed in my overflowing life; it’s luxurious to have overflowing love, joy, peace, strength and provision. I’m not being a greedy or materialistic; I have the heart of a grateful loving child. When we’re offered a wonderful gift, we accept it with a grateful and thankful heart. To do any less would be an insult to the gift giver.

Receive from our Father today. Let His word bring richness to us, heart and soul.