Have you ever had a desire for something you haven’t had in a long time? And you aren’t satisfied until you experience it, drink it or eat it? It can be a big thing or a little thing, but either way you can’t let go.
I recently experienced this myself, I found myself craving a certain food item from a local restaurant. When I stopped by to pick up the item, the clerk graciously offered to give me a little extra for free.
Mind you, this was no expensive treat and I could easily afford it. The total with tax would’ve been less than a dollar! Yet, I can’t explain how thankful I was for the unexpected treat. And I’d be surprised if it ever happened again.
We often overlook the little things in life that God blesses us with because were too busy looking for bigger and better things in life. But God typically works in the little things of life. Humility teaches us to think less of ourselves and more of others. Jesus once gave a sermon about the least in this life (Matt. 5:3-12).
For me the clerk was like Jesus in Disguise. And I rushed right past Him. In the past it’s been friends or relationships that I’ve taken for granted, only to realize years or even days later how special they were and I wish I could just start over.
Its cliché and a hard truth, you really don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone and I’ll prove it. And that’s what this Thanksgiving blog is about.
Gone?
It’s ironic that we celebrate holidays as the year winds down. About 300 days are gone by the time we celebrate Thanksgiving. For some, it’s a time of reflection of the good things that have happened through the year and preparation for the year to begin again.
But, hear my heart; for others like me, it can be rather depressing. All we have are memories of loved ones who are gone from this life for good. No matter how much we hope or believe, they are not coming back in any shape or form like priceless used items in a thrift Shop. Be thankful for who and what you have before it is too late, no matter how big or small. Paul urges us to be content with little or much (Philippians 4:11-13).
To make matters worse for me, I’m an outdoors type of person and as the daylight hours decrease my times of depression increase. Once the daylight is gone I’m left to the demise of my own thoughts. Wondering what if I had done things different throughout the year. But, with Christ I can say it is well, no matter how bad things look (Philippians 4:13).
Sometimes these thoughts keep me going out of my mind. I ponder about friendships and opportunities I could have reconciled. But the truth is, we’re never guaranteed second chances. You are only promised today, so try to get it right the first time.
But never forget one thing about missed opportunities, it may be best things didn’t work out like you wanted and learn to roll with the punches.
Best 3.0?
Jesus once told His disciples that it was best for them that He went away and after He was gone the Helper would come and lead them into all understanding (John 16:7-9).
After Jesus was crucified the disciples had to start over. They got upset because they were seeking earthly greatness, but Christ sought to change the world through humility, not through might.
The disciples spent three years walking with and learning from the Jews’ long awaited savior, Who they studied about since they were kids; yet never fully realized Him until after He was gone.
I recently experienced this myself, I found myself craving a certain food item from a local restaurant. When I stopped by to pick up the item, the clerk graciously offered to give me a little extra for free.
Mind you, this was no expensive treat and I could easily afford it. The total with tax would’ve been less than a dollar! Yet, I can’t explain how thankful I was for the unexpected treat. And I’d be surprised if it ever happened again.
We often overlook the little things in life that God blesses us with because were too busy looking for bigger and better things in life. But God typically works in the little things of life. Humility teaches us to think less of ourselves and more of others. Jesus once gave a sermon about the least in this life (Matt. 5:3-12).
For me the clerk was like Jesus in Disguise. And I rushed right past Him. In the past it’s been friends or relationships that I’ve taken for granted, only to realize years or even days later how special they were and I wish I could just start over.
Its cliché and a hard truth, you really don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone and I’ll prove it. And that’s what this Thanksgiving blog is about.
Gone?
It’s ironic that we celebrate holidays as the year winds down. About 300 days are gone by the time we celebrate Thanksgiving. For some, it’s a time of reflection of the good things that have happened through the year and preparation for the year to begin again.
But, hear my heart; for others like me, it can be rather depressing. All we have are memories of loved ones who are gone from this life for good. No matter how much we hope or believe, they are not coming back in any shape or form like priceless used items in a thrift Shop. Be thankful for who and what you have before it is too late, no matter how big or small. Paul urges us to be content with little or much (Philippians 4:11-13).
To make matters worse for me, I’m an outdoors type of person and as the daylight hours decrease my times of depression increase. Once the daylight is gone I’m left to the demise of my own thoughts. Wondering what if I had done things different throughout the year. But, with Christ I can say it is well, no matter how bad things look (Philippians 4:13).
Sometimes these thoughts keep me going out of my mind. I ponder about friendships and opportunities I could have reconciled. But the truth is, we’re never guaranteed second chances. You are only promised today, so try to get it right the first time.
But never forget one thing about missed opportunities, it may be best things didn’t work out like you wanted and learn to roll with the punches.
Best 3.0?
Jesus once told His disciples that it was best for them that He went away and after He was gone the Helper would come and lead them into all understanding (John 16:7-9).
After Jesus was crucified the disciples had to start over. They got upset because they were seeking earthly greatness, but Christ sought to change the world through humility, not through might.
The disciples spent three years walking with and learning from the Jews’ long awaited savior, Who they studied about since they were kids; yet never fully realized Him until after He was gone.
