Reading
today Ann Voskamp, Eucharisteo, thankfulness, gratitude – finding
joy in life, even when there is death, divorce and debt. Gifts from
my Abba come in many different packages, and the gifts themselves can
sometimes cause me to stop and wonder . . . why . . when it was
something else I wanted.
But
He knows what I need, what will bring wholeness and well-being to my
life.
A long ago memory, a birthday, I was young, 8 or 9. Someone gave me
a shirt. I remember my disappointment, my “un”gratefulness for
the gift. I wanted a toy, a game or something else that would bring me pleasure. I remember my mom explaining that I should be grateful
that someone cared enough to give me something I needed. . . and not
something I would soon grow tired of. At the time, I don't think I
fully appreciated the wisdom of what she was saying.
The
gifts our Father gives we often see as that “shirt” - not what
we want but always what we need, though we may not understand at the
time.
I
want to learn that attitude of gratitude . . . easy to say, harder to
live by . . . but then He isn't finished with me yet.
