16 | Be Grateful

Here's another confession:  When I type "Be Grateful," I hear my mother's voice in my head.  I'm immediately thrust back into my nine-year-old body (it's a tight, uncomfortable squeeze), awkward and shy and clumsy with the words, "Thank you." And as a mother now, I feel her discomfort as well as mine.  We often feel obligated to be grateful.  Urged to be grateful.  Expected to be grateful.

incourage.me

So if the title of this post sounds like an edict or a rebuke to you, too, let's drop that misconception right now.

Here's how I want you to read this.

BE.  Just be.  In this moment, in this space, comfortable in your skin and relaxed in your mind.  Breathe and be.

And as you soak in this unique and one-time moment, this time dedicated to being yourself before your God, notice what gifts God has given you today.  What sounds or silences bring you pleasure?  What smells tickle your nose?  What sights make you sigh with contentment?  Slow down and savor the simple luxury of this quiet time. As you notice the common things around you in a first-time kind of way, what fills you up with that spontaneous, spilling over contentment? What makes you GRATEFUL?

AimeeWeaver via Etsy.com

I'm hearing my son practicing the piano.  Diligently for once.  In the purposeful notes I'm hearing echoes of the orchestra concert we attended earlier today.  I remember the soaring music and three generations of family clothed in amazement.

I'm watching my daughter draw.  Deliberate and comical.  Cartoon elephants emerge; they have something to do with science.  Her least favorite subject has transformed into the most talked about class, thanks to the humor and approachability of her fabulous teacher.

In these observations I realize that in sensing the world around me in this moment, I'm able to see layers — thanks to the slow stillness.  I'm able to look past the nagging that led to the piano; I'm able to link to the broader orchestral and emotional inspirations.  I'm able to chart the growth from where we were, in scholastic dread, to where we are, surprised by joy.

connectthedotsons.blogspot.com

Our blessings aren't always delivered in bright packages with shiny bows. Sometimes they are tied up in barbed wire and soiled paper bearing yesterdays bad news.  But under those layers, God's gift resides, true and good.

Today let's take a slow look, a savoring observation, of God's good news in our unique corners of the world.  Let's fill up with gratitude for what we do have in this precious moment.  And because this might be a new and different and difficult way of searching our surroundings, let's ask God to be our guide.

breezybrookshire via Etsy.com

Lord,

As I sit here in my house, my favorite coffee shop, my seat on the bus, my lunchtime corner — as I sit here in this moment — help me to look at this place in time and space with fresh eyes, tuned to your gifts and goodness.  Slow me down to a lingering wonder and awe that recognizes the elements you have put here, elements that nurture my faith, help me grow, and fill me up with your love and joy.  

Help me to suspend my earthly way of seeing the world.  In its place give me the gift of your vision, your grace-filled perspective.  And as I recognize your gifts, help me to glorify you by naming you as the good and gracious giver.  Help me to name and claim where these gifts come from, so that I might share your love and generosity in my corner of the world.

www.jacobabshire.com

If it's a hard day for me, a day that looks devoid of gifts, help me to be patient. Persistent.  Expectant.  For I know that your gifts are always near, but not always clear to my human eyes or my human brain.  I know you will deliver them in your perfect timing, and I will see them when I am still and focused on you.  For your faithfulness, I am truly grateful.

Amen

Grace Horne via Pinterest

Inspired to keep going with gratitude?

Ann Voskamp's book, One Thousand Gifts, is a must read.  Or download her app for counting your daily gifts.

Or start a gratitude journal, with something like this...

iloveitall via Etsy.com

24 | The Right Way to Righteousness

Dear Lord,

I keep bumping into this word, "righteousness," in my Bible reading, in my daily wanderings.  Help me to sort out what you are trying to tell me.

I have to admit, God, "righteousness" rankles me a bit because of its current connotation.  This word is used differently now.  Abused.  Righteousness has a connotation of lording personal wisdom and good works over others.  It is condescending.  Judging.

Ick.

Gracious God, I don't want to lord my goodness (what little there is of it) over others.  You are the only  Lord, the Lord of all.  And your goodness supersedes my feeble attempts!

Through Jesus you show us again and again that righteousness isn't about lording judgments over others.  It's about loving others for the goodness inherent in them.

Righteousness isn't high and mighty.  It is humble.  It isn't leading by avowals of right and wrong, but leading by modest examples of your grace and forgiveness.  Righteousness doesn't point back to me, it points up to you, to the source of all that is right.  Righteousness doesn't put others down; it lifts others up. 

I like how Jesus lays it out, surprising his disciples with this paradox:

"Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all."  

Mark 9:35

Paul puts it another way...

Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

This makes sense.  This feels right.  This is how we experience Christ as we walk this earth.  In giving to others we receive the greatest gift of all.  Christ and the Holy Spirit flow through us, building us up as we serve others.  God, help me to sustain others and build them up, just as you do for me.  Help me to see the right thing to do to glorify you, and to do that with humility.

Amen.

May you walk with our Living Lord today in his path of humble righteousness.  May your encouragement of others build up your spirit at the same time.