Not everything feels like a gift from God. But I’m learning that if I count gifts on a daily basis, the things that don’t seem like gifts, actually are. It’s easy to thank God for things like my family, food on our table, our home, a beautiful sunny day, words of encouragement from a friend, etc. But what about thanking him for the two boys in my son’s gym class who think it’s fun to pick on him for being smaller? Or the times when my life feels small and insignificant – when it seems the most important thing I did all day was start and finish the laundry? At first glance, it’s easy to miss those circumstances as gifts. But the bullying in gym class is a gift because it teaches my son courage in the face of adversity and reliance on God when he feels alone. No, it’s not fun to endure the ridicule of others, but when he claims the truths of scripture – “I command you – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) – as he walks out the door in the morning … is that not a gift? And those times when I am lonely and I wonder if there will ever be more to my life than laundry and dishes and chores … those are gifts as well! Because it’s in those moments that God reminds me that when I serve my family, I serve Him. It’s when I’m feeling low because I see other people doing “big things” in the world that God whispers how important motherhood is to him. That he sees me and knows me. That I do not work in vain. That I’m applauded by an audience of One.
…everything is a gift from God!
That’s authentic worship.
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