Appreciate Everything
Theme: Appreciate Everything
Verse: "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heaven" (James 1:17)
Every good gift is worth noticing and thanking God for.
My birthday is coming up soon, which means it's almost time for my sister's annual tradition: digging through the family photo archives to find the most embarrassing picture of me she can, then proudly posting it across social media as her "loving" birthday tribute.
As much as I brace myself for it, that post always reminds me of something important: I've made it through another full orbit around the sun. And I'm grateful for that.
But gratitude should not be a once-a-year ritual. We're surrounded by blessings every single day, and most of them are so ordinary we forget to notice them.
Here are a few we often overlook:
A place to call home. That's a blessing. "The Lord is my refuge and my fortress." - Psalm 91:2
Family or friends who care about you. That's a blessing. "A friend loves at all times." - Proverbs 17:17
The ability to read these words. First we should thank a teacher, then know that is a blessing. "Give instruction to a wise person and they will be still wiser." - Proverbs 9:9
The ability to move, breathe, work, laugh, or exercise. Every one of these is a blessing. "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." - Psalm 150:6.
"In Him we live and move and have our being." - Acts 17:28
The list is endless if we're willing to look.
Even King David, a man with immense power, influence, and authority, paused to thank God for the good in his life. "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." - Psalm 136:1
If someone with that much standing could humble himself before God, surely we can take a moment to do the same.
Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney sang about this in the classic film White Christmas. Their song Count Your Blessings suggests that instead of counting sheep to fall asleep, we should count the good things in our lives. Simple, but profound, advice.
Scripture echoes this idea: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18
We truly do have plenty to be grateful for.
So, take a moment, not just on your birthday, but any day, to reflect on the blessings that surround you. Gratitude doesn't need a special occasion. It just needs a little attention.
Have a GREAT week.