“Out of the fullness of His grace He has blessed us all, giving us one blessing after another.” John 1:6 GNT
There’s a video I saw recently on my Facebook page that has gone viral. It’s a great reminder of all we have to be thankful for each day. We take so much for granted in our lives, focusing on what we don’t have instead of what we do.
Mindful thanksgiving is being aware of all of the blessings we do have. A blessing actually means “good word.” God’s word is a blessing. He wants to bless you. It’s God’s favor being poured out into our lives. We have so much favor in America we don’t even realize it. It is truly a blessing from God.
There are six truths related to God’s blessing. I was reminded of this in my devotional this morning. I am taking time today to reflect on how they impact my life. I’m being mindful in my thanksgiving this holiday weekend.
God blesses us even though we don’t deserve it. When I turn on the water to brush my teeth, I think of Marisol whom I met in El Salvador. I had the privilege of going to her home where there was no running water. Just a large cement cistern full of rain water they used for cooking and cleaning. Their bathroom was an out house, no place to wash your hands. When we arrived that day at her home she welcomed us as if to a palace. I still see her smiling face as she so eagerly shared what she had with us. I’m no better than Marisol, yet God blessed me with running water.
He blesses us because He enjoys doing it (Jer. 32:41). When I feel the sun on my face, it’s one of the times I feel God’s enjoyment in blessing me. God truly does love to bless His children. His biggest blessing was sending Jesus to make a way for us, yet we take it for granted like it was nothing.
God blesses us when we are obedient. When we do what God tells us to do, He does reward us. When we take time to rest, as He tells us to do we are rejuvenated. When we wait as He asks us to do, we are rewarded. I waited for my husband for a very long time. There were times I didn’t think I would ever find him. Yet now that we’ve been married six years, I’m so grateful I waited. God’s blessing to me in him is beyond words. Small or large, God always blesses us when we are obedient to Him.
He blesses us so others can see what He can do, but also so we can be a blessing to others. When people who don’t know God see good things happening in our lives it opens up an opportunity to talk about Him to them. When people ask me how I met my wonderful husband I can’t answer that question without giving glory to God. When my business continues to grow beyond anything I have done, I give the credit where it belongs, to God. Both of those blessings allow me to bless others. Being married to my husband allows me to volunteer more than I could otherwise. My businesses allow me to give more to others. God’s blessings allow me to glorify Him, as well as share them with others.
God’s blessings carry on from generation to generation. One of my favorite family stories is of my grandfather, a devoted man of God. He read the Bible nightly. He would always read it front to back. When he finished, no matter what time of year it was, He would start again in the beginning. I didn’t know him well, he died before I was 10 years old. I do however feel his prayers being answered in my life. Prayers he never lived to see answered.
Knowing and understanding how and why God blesses us leads to mindful thanksgiving. Taking time to reflect and be aware of God’s blessings always leads to being thankful.
Take time over this holiday weekend to reflect on God’s blessings in your life. Be mindful in your thanksgiving. If you don’t know where to start, maybe this will help:
