1 Thessalonians 5:18 – …give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Lately, I’m often reminded to really appreciate the little things in life. Every day I’m faced with people in difficult circumstances. Heck, we are ALL in difficult circumstances these days. However, I feel blessed that (as a country) our biggest problems are financial. I look at war-torn countries or those who have suffered natural disasters on a massive scale and am very thankful for our difficulties. I look at the little village of Bundibugyo, Uganda where my brother and sister-in-law are serving faithfully and am struck by the number of untimely deaths they have already experienced in their 13 months there. If you’ve never read their blog, please visit at www.steadfastjoy.blogspot.com.
So I’ve made a conscious decision to be thankful for our tough economic times. Didn’t the depression shape the character of those we now refer to as our “Greatest Generation”? We’re not living through a plague, earthquake or war. We’re living in a difficult economy. I actually think it’s pretty cool to wonder how this will shape me? How will it shape my children? I do know that we were overloaded on material “stuff” a few years ago. Lately we’ve been taking advantage of fun that is free. And you know what? We’ve found that it’s sometimes more fun than the stuff you pay for!! Last weekend we went to the beach and several parks. We kicked a soccer ball, played with trucks in the sand, shot hoops, and built a “forest”. We made sandwiches, cooked a few meals, and enjoyed Chick-Fil-A carryouts overlooking the river. In the midst of all the fun, there was an feeling ease and comfort around us. We weren’t striving for something or waiting for the next big thing. We simply enjoyed being together. I’m truly blessed by the opportunity to pay more attention on the “little things.”
