Do you sometimes wish for things you don’t possess?
Do you long for gifts you haven’t received?
Each morning, I set out from my house in search of unobstructed views. I walk, hoping to find vistas where beauty beckons. Where the breeze whispers reminders. Of purpose and passion.
Instead, I find street lights, traffic, and fusty air too warm for the season.
I stand, stare, and long for gifts not offered to me.
Discouragement lures.
Will I succumb?
Not this day.
This day, I stand, breathe, and employ a gift I do possess: choice. I choose to practice an ancient discipline, one outlined in Scripture. “Thank you,” I whisper.
With this thank you, the view opens before me, splashes vibrant hues. A vast vista unseen before. My breath catches. What I’d chosen just moments before now comes unbidden. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
This day, discouragement scurries, tail between its legs.
I tuck the memory of the moment into my pocket and turn back for home, where I so often long for unencumbered hours. Hours when words beckon. When silence evokes the whispered reminders. Of purpose and passion.
Each morning, I set out in search of unencumbered hours.
Instead, I find obligations, complications, and frustrating interruptions, difficult to ignore.
Is it possible…?
“Thank you,” I whisper as I sit at my desk.
With each thank you, time opens before me, earmarked for creativity. A string of moments that occasionally extends into hours. And what I’d chosen just moments before now comes unbidden. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
We so often seem to want what we don’t have, gifts we don’t possess. Unlimited time, resources, talents, creativity, beauty, a published book, a bestselling book, another bestselling book, and on and on goes the wanting.
What if, instead, we choose to practice an ancient discipline? What if instead of relegating our thankfulness to this season of thanksgiving, we choose to give thanks at all times, in all seasons, in all circumstances? For this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus.
“Thank you,” we can whisper, despite what we think we’re missing.
“Thank you, Lord, for all the gifts you have given me. Thank you that I can trust you, the giver of all good gifts.”
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV
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
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Ginny, your beautiful words left me breathless. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” will be my constant prayer this day to the good and gracious God that gives us everything we need. (including your words!)
PS – Wow.
Nikki, I’m so grateful God used my words to encourage you, in the same way He’s so often used your words to encourage me.
Ginny – thank you for this! I can relate. My human ego is always trying to separate me from the love of God by playing telling me I don’t have enough, or I’m not good enough! Here’s the truth – connected and surrendered to my God, I lack nothing. I am whole, fulfulled, living an extraordinary life in Divine presence. Thank you for the reminder this morning to Wake Up, be present, grateful and love myself. Love you my friend! Sheri
Sheri, you are doing such good work spreading the message of Divine love. Keep it up!
Thank you, Ginny. A couple circumstances in my life have kept me being less than thankful the last few weeks and I have taken my focus off of what God has given to me. I need to make thankfulness part of my daily–second by second–practice. God is good, not matter what our situation might be. I needed this reminder of a dark and drizzly November morning.
Linda, I am praying for moments of joy even on dark and drizzly days when circumstances are difficult.
The truth. Spoken in beauty.
Thank you, my friend.
This was beautiful. Thank you!
Thank you, Susy!
Thank you, Ginny. Good word. A timely word.
I’m grateful to post resonated, Nancy.
When I take walks, street lights and traffic have typically taken away my serenity. From now on, I will start my walk with a resounding, “Thank you, Lord!”
Dennis, I’ll join you by giving thanks each time a glaring street light obstructs my view!
This is exactly what I needed to hear today. Thank you! So we’ll said and something I will print out and put in my devotional journal.
Bonnie, I’m grateful God used to the post to encourage you. Blessings…
Just. Thank you.
Thank you, thank you, thank you… As I scanned my emails for the week, I came across yours.
Our assignment in Life Group this week was to keep a gratitude log. I am leader of the group and with two days left before our meeting, I have yet to start my list. I remember looking at the sky Tuesday morning but thinking how the stars were not as bright as a morning last week. And today I felt the fleeting feeling of contentment pass me by, as I was sipping coffee and planning my day.
Could it be this week had so many “to do’s” in it that I forgot what “just being” felt like? Thank you, Ginny, for reminding me once again to change my focus back to the many gifts God gives us every day. They are there waiting for us. All we need to do is linger and abide.