Thankfulness

Puppy Annie Smelling a Rose

My five-month old puppy Annie has great personality. The chips might fall around me. Things may not turn out the way I plan, but Annie has shown me how to be thankful no matter what happens. She zooms around the house and the yard, but one morning she stopped to smell this rose. She caused me to stop and enjoy God’s creation too. It’s fun to watch her discover ducks and squirrels and birds on our morning walks. Everything is fresh and new to her, and I am learning to see the newness in the flowers and birds through her eyes.

Thankfulness in the Bible

I also see through David’s eyes a heart of thankfulness. He said, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:3-4). I wonder the same thing – why does the God of creation care so much for me? Thank you, Lord, that you do!

Sometimes the worries of this world can overwhelm us, but Jesus said, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear” (Matthew 6:25). Then He explains how the Father takes care of the birds, even though they do not sow or reap or store their food. And about clothes, Jesus said, “See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these” (Matthew 6:28).

God loves us and does not want us to worry about anything. “Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). Instead of stress and worry, we can take time to be thankful and draw close to God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come close to you with thankful hearts for all you have created and all you have done for us. Help us to be more aware of your amazing love and blessings on us, and help us to love others as you love us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Who Woulda Thought?

Red flowering poppies, yellow blooming field mustard and other wildflowers in the spring season.

Jesus referred to the red poppies as “Flowers of the Field” when He said, “Why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these” (Matthew 6:28).

When Jesus described the Kingdom of God, He said, “It is like a mustard seed which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade” (Mark 4:31-32).

The poppies represent God’s provision and the mustard plant represents the growth of God’s kingdom. Did you know each of these wild flowers was also used to make pain killers in Bible times? They made opium from extractions of a special poppy plant native to the Holy Lands to relieve severe pain, and they made oil from the mustard plant to relieve body aches.

God chose two weeds to ease pain and suffering. Who woulda thought? He also used them to describe His provision and the Kingdom of God. Since He chose weeds for His purposes, do you wonder what He chose you for? Disciples in Jesus’ time chose their Rabbi. They asked the Rabbi of their choice if they could follow him. Jesus was different. He chose His disciples, and look who He chose–fishermen, a tax collector, sons of thunder, a zealot–all sinners. He even chose me–who woulda thought? He chose you too. He loved you before you loved Him, while you were still living a life of sin. What amazing love! AND He will make you like Jesus when you submit yourself to Him.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might bear fruit—fruit that will last” (John 15:16). Go and bear much fruit! May God be glorified in you.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the wonder found in your word and in you. Thank you that you chose us. Humble us, Lord, to make us like Jesus. In His great name, Amen.