A Light

The lake near our house was just stocked with 1,200 lbs of trout this last week and they had a fishing derby.  Hardly anyone caught anything (I didn't even get a bite), but they had a raffle at the end to raffle off some prizes.  They drew my name for a little mag-lite... and actually, I'm super impressed with how bright it is!  But anyway, I was thinking about it that evening... what a random, completely unnecessary blessing!  It was a reminder to me that God takes joy in blessing His children.  I didn't need a new flashlight... and if I did, the Lord has provided for me to go out and purchase one... but He chose to just give it to me.  A light is such a little thing in comparison to the infinite riches of Christ, but I am learning more and more these days to see the Lord in the "little things" of life.  I am thankful for this increased awareness as it is so easy to go through life without being thankful to Him who gives every breath. 

I have been reading in Joshua lately about some of the big actions of God in blessing His people with land and giving them victory over their enemies... a little flashlight seems so small in comparison, but I think it is important that whether it be a small thing or a big thing, I recognize God as the giver of every good and perfect gift and thank Him for it.  God has blessed me so much beyond that, but I pick the story of the flashlight specifically because it is small.  God is honored with we thank Him for the small things just like He is when we thank Him for the big things.  God is doing a lot of big things... He always is, even when we don't see it.  Let's look for Him in every good and perfect gift and take joy in praising Him for His goodness and faithfulness to us.

The Goodness of God

I have been so overwhelmed by the goodness of God.  It's not because He changes, but rather because by His grace and help, I do.  His goodness to me far exceeds my ability to recognize them, but what I do recognize, I am so thankful for.  I was just sitting here thinking of some of His kindnesses to me this morning.  The next breath is only because He enables me to take it.  That random question from a co-worker, the Lord put within their heart and granted me wisdom in responding.  That prompting from the Lord to double check my blind-spot before changing lanes that likely saved an accident was His doing.  That conviction for my bad attitude was from Him.  That empowerment to reflect on His mercy and grace and extend it to others was from Him. The spiritual refreshment in fellowship with friends that desire to please the Lord... He put them in my life... He gave them a heart to please Him and to minister to me.  That peace that is unexplainable when there are so many unknowns... that is from Him.  The desire to want to please Him... it's from Him.  The challenges at work that cause me to grow in character... those are from Him.  The fact that I recognize any of the above or any of the below, it's from Him.  The ability to put into memory His Word and that He brings it to mind just when needed most, it's all from Him.  For music that points me to Him and the writers of it and the recording artists and the technicians that made it sound great... all skill comes from Him.  For technology and the ability to fellowship with believers across the world in multiple ways.  For a constantly changing heart because of His work in it.  For every spiritual blessing that is given me in Christ.  For God's kind intentions toward me.  For God never withholding any good thing from those that walk uprightly.  For the cross. For His unchangingness.  For His faithfulness.  For the unending love of God that I cannot be separated from.  For being taken out of darkness and brought into light.

I am just scratching the surface.  May the Lord grant us the eyes to see His goodness and may that turn our hearts toward repentance, humility, grace, and love for others so that they would see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven.  Thank You, Lord for Your unending goodness.