A Minute Mediation by Bro. Dan Wilton,
Scarlett Road Ecclesia, Toronto
I AM THANKFUL FOR...
The taxes I pay...
because it means I'm employed.
The clothes that fit a little too snug...
because it means I have enough to eat.
A lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing...
because it means I have a home.
The spot I find at the far end of the parking lot...
because it means I am capable of walking.
My huge heating bill...
because it means I am warm.
All the complaining I hear about our government...
because it means we have freedom of speech.
The sister behind me in meeting who sings off key...
because it means I can hear.
The piles of laundry and ironing...
because it means my loved ones are nearby.
The alarm that goes off in the early morning hours...
because it means that I'm alive to serve God.
Weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day...
because it means I have been productive.
May God continue to provide for us, even if we don't see the things we get as blessings!
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This little passage helps us to really focus on what God has blessed us with.
Psalms 68:19 "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation."
In our modern high-tech and do-it-yourself society, we have a tendency to forget all of the good things God gives to us and complain at such small, insignificant things that seem to be chores and hassles for us. We often forget that there are so many people throughout the world who do not have the daily necessities of life!
Often, it is necessary for us to stop and focus on everything that we have been GIVEN by our Heavenly Father - we don't deserve any of it. Then, when "hassles" and "problems" come along, we have to remember that along with the blessings, God GIVES us situations and trials to make us pleasing sons and daughters in his sight! It is our duty to recognize these and benefit from them.
We have to be thankful for what God gives us (whatever it is), we have to realize that God always knows best, and we have to try to be like our Lord Jesus, who relied completely on his Father, and never doubted or complained!
Hebrews 12:6,10 (RSV) "For the Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives... he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.
Matthew 6:32-33 "...for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
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Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21)