Recently the community where I live was rocked by a tragedy. Three young siblings were killed in a car accident within walking distance from their respective schools, no one could come to their rescue and they crossed their finish line.
For weeks locals were raw from the loss. Since I went to school with the father and knew the children since they were little, I still get nauseous when I pass the memorials near the schools.
The father’s comments since have been a solemn reminder to me. He has been broken over the time he wasted while his children played video games and he did his own thing. He has learned the hard way that it’s really the little things in life that matter, get out my way.
I’d like to think I’ve learned this lesson myself over two decades ago after my accident, that’s when I had to relearn the simple tasks of life (smiling, eating and tying my shoes.) When we’re young, we think we’re indestructible, totally ignorant of the brevity of life. We take for granted the things we have, with dreams of gaining more (Genesis 3:2-6.)
FOR GRANTED?
Grant is defined as, “To assume to be true, willing; a gift or something given.” The last part of that definition is the value most of us miss in life. Gifts are not earned; they are given to us apart from our ability or rights, sometimes impossible things.
When I was growing up, my father taught me we appreciate what we work for more than what we are given. I didn’t understand it back when I was a kid, because I just wanted my wildest dreams. I didn’t care how I got it, I would be victorious.
Now that I’m older I understand what my father was teaching me. When we invest time, energy or whatever into achievement, we appreciate it more, especially if we loose it.
On the flipside, things we are given may be valuable, but we are less invested in them. Hence, why we take them for granted. We want God’s glory in this world, but get anxious when it’s not what we want, even if God knows better.
There is this evil WAY in each of us, the more we have, the more we want. If I can just get this car, that person or that promotion, I will be satisfied. King Solomon was correct, man is never satisfied (Ecclesiastes 1:5-7, 4:4.)
The other Son of David, Jesus, gave His life so it was possible to be granted His righteousness in the end. We’ve been made heirs to the throne of God and still we want more and take for granted what we have been given already.
GIVEN?
Christianity means I surrender—not to get—but to give love back to the One who rescued us from our sin. In this day of entitlement, everyone believes the sick lie they are entitled to more and more; they want their Heaven on Earth.
Sometimes we fail to realize what we’ve already been given; God allows it to be taken away. This was the case with the Job (Job 1:1-22.) His faith didn’t get him what he wanted.
It’s not necessarily to punish us, but test us or help us realize what we have. I’ve learned like my friend from school it’s the small things in life that really matter, don’t get caught dreaming.
This year I’ve spent time encouraging other brain injury survivors and their families. In an article I wrote for a brain injury magazine, I shared how we need to focus more on what we can do now physically instead of trying to go back to what we used to be a like even if I miss you. I’ve learned to be thankful for what God has done for me, because I’ve learned what I used to take for granted.
For weeks locals were raw from the loss. Since I went to school with the father and knew the children since they were little, I still get nauseous when I pass the memorials near the schools.
The father’s comments since have been a solemn reminder to me. He has been broken over the time he wasted while his children played video games and he did his own thing. He has learned the hard way that it’s really the little things in life that matter, get out my way.
I’d like to think I’ve learned this lesson myself over two decades ago after my accident, that’s when I had to relearn the simple tasks of life (smiling, eating and tying my shoes.) When we’re young, we think we’re indestructible, totally ignorant of the brevity of life. We take for granted the things we have, with dreams of gaining more (Genesis 3:2-6.)
FOR GRANTED?
Grant is defined as, “To assume to be true, willing; a gift or something given.” The last part of that definition is the value most of us miss in life. Gifts are not earned; they are given to us apart from our ability or rights, sometimes impossible things.
When I was growing up, my father taught me we appreciate what we work for more than what we are given. I didn’t understand it back when I was a kid, because I just wanted my wildest dreams. I didn’t care how I got it, I would be victorious.
Now that I’m older I understand what my father was teaching me. When we invest time, energy or whatever into achievement, we appreciate it more, especially if we loose it.
On the flipside, things we are given may be valuable, but we are less invested in them. Hence, why we take them for granted. We want God’s glory in this world, but get anxious when it’s not what we want, even if God knows better.
There is this evil WAY in each of us, the more we have, the more we want. If I can just get this car, that person or that promotion, I will be satisfied. King Solomon was correct, man is never satisfied (Ecclesiastes 1:5-7, 4:4.)
The other Son of David, Jesus, gave His life so it was possible to be granted His righteousness in the end. We’ve been made heirs to the throne of God and still we want more and take for granted what we have been given already.
GIVEN?
Christianity means I surrender—not to get—but to give love back to the One who rescued us from our sin. In this day of entitlement, everyone believes the sick lie they are entitled to more and more; they want their Heaven on Earth.
Sometimes we fail to realize what we’ve already been given; God allows it to be taken away. This was the case with the Job (Job 1:1-22.) His faith didn’t get him what he wanted.
It’s not necessarily to punish us, but test us or help us realize what we have. I’ve learned like my friend from school it’s the small things in life that really matter, don’t get caught dreaming.
This year I’ve spent time encouraging other brain injury survivors and their families. In an article I wrote for a brain injury magazine, I shared how we need to focus more on what we can do now physically instead of trying to go back to what we used to be a like even if I miss you. I’ve learned to be thankful for what God has done for me, because I’ve learned what I used to take for granted.
