I feel particularly blessed today. I know that’s a funny thing to say. I’m blessed every day. But let’s face it: some days we feel it more than others.
Today, as I sit on our balcony, in near perfect weather, on the comfy chairs my hubby set up for us, I feel like the things that make life worth living are never really that far – and yet, often we live as though they’re a million miles away.
On days like this, I can’t thank God fast enough. Or enough period. I can’t begin to express the gratitude in my heart for all the good and perfect gifts He’s given me.
Granted, I’m no doubt feeling my blessings right now because I’m doing what I want to do: I’m sitting outside with my laptop and my adorable cat and a glass of iced tea. The birds are singing and the scent of freshly cut grass is floating on the breeze that rustles the beautiful green trees all around me. My heart is light because I’m on the cusp of a fun and laid back weekend with the man I love and when life is this good, everything around me (and in me) begins to come alive. A good day indeed!
On top of that, I’m coming off a great week: I got some deep spring cleaning done (we’re talking top of the fridge…yuck). I had fun with my students – who seemed more lighthearted this week than usual (no doubt due to the weather and the quickly approaching end of the school year). I snuggled my hubby on numerous occasions (mmmmmmm…pure joy). I played with a puppy! I spent lots of time with my precious family due to our super-fun trifecta of Dad’s birthday, Mother’s Day and Jay’s Birthday. We had a great rehearsal at church. I got more of a tan line. I ate better…and felt better. Jennings responded to my whining and dug through the garage to find my spring essential yellow flower arrangement which now rests on the table beside me. And last night, I sat outside with my sweet sisters in Christ as the sun was setting and we laughed and talked and prayed…and learned deeply the love of God together. Every week has its ups and downs but this one was pretty good.
Now, other than the extremely beautiful weather we’ve been having lately, none of all that other “stuff” has been that far. Those gifts have been there. But in some ways, I feel like I relearned them this week. And my gratitude has deepened.
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the gifts we miss when we’re numb. In some ways, we all go numb from time to time. It’s easy to do. It happens when we’re faced with copious amounts of stress. Or when life gets a little too tedious. Or when the sun just won’t seem to shine for days on end.
We turn to our ol’ standbys to get through. We overindulge in life’s gifts until they no longer resemble gifts. Or we overindulge in things we shouldn’t because we think those things will eventually bring the breakthrough we’re seeking and our happiness will return. There are plenty of good and bad things in this world to consume to the excess. And instead of awakening our bodies and souls, what we find is that all that excess just numbs us out.
Until it’s been days, maybe weeks, maybe months or years…until we’ve felt anything good.
Life is funny that way. It’s a balancing act. Because it’s easy to assume the thing that makes us happy today will make us happy tomorrow – like if we just keep experiencing that same thing in that exact same way, we’ll remain in our “happy place”. But different days bring different gifts. And enjoying them isn’t about holding onto them and squeezing the life out of them…
it’s entirely about enjoying the Giver.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17
My Father God is the only gift that never changes. He’s the only gift I can’t overindulge in. He is the only One who can’t numb me out. In fact, He’s the only Gift that the more I chase after and experience, the more alive I become. You can’t possibly come to the end of the treasures of knowing Him and spending time with Him.
He will heighten everything.
This is what I’m learning or rather, re-learning, these days. If I want to know what it feels like to be awake and present and full of joy, it begins with God. How blessed I am to know Him! To know Him through Christ Jesus! Because nothing else compares.
See, there are dozens of things I look forward to in this life…
days like this, times and tons of laughter and sweet smiles with my husband, laughing with our family and friends or my Krittle as we share chicken fingers and potato skins at Grinders, praising my God on Sunday mornings with my church family, the beach, new move-me-to-my-soul music, picnics, cuddles with Mable (the cutest kitty I know), convertible rides with my honey, coffee and Scripture in the morning, hikes in the park, Mexican nights with the fam, birthdays and holidays, shopping with Mum, boat rides with Dad, sunsets and star-gazing, coffee-toffee ice cream, no makeup days when I don’t have to change out of my soft cotton pants, swimming, reminiscing with my big brother and laughing till my sides hurt, writing, pizza and movie nights at Mom and Dad’s, play time with little Scotty, sleepovers with the grandgirls, weekend get-a-ways, singing harmony with my hubby as he plays his guitar, ballets or girl time with Kudie and T, watching my students smile, Thursday nights with my sisters, hugs, anything with crabmeat, a new outfit or lip gloss, biking and birding with Donna, playing the piano, bubble baths, Pittsburgh visits with Gram, catching up with friends I haven’t seen in eons, weddings and showers (and sprinkles!), Frisbee and prayers with Deenz (which we haven’t done in a while, girl), feeding the fish, talking about faith or how taco salads can change your life with Linda, finding the last puzzle piece, greeting Jennings after a long day, the look on his face when he brings me roses, a new book, rubbing lavender between my fingers, summer fruits and veggies, horseback riding, the first snow, a fresh haircut, getting a recipe just right (or better yet, enjoying a Jennings-recipe), listening to the kids next door laugh as they play, the blooms of spring and colors of fall, the water therapy bed at the chiropractor’s, Sunday afternoon naps, slow-dancing with Jennings in the kitchen, etc. This is a blessed and rich life indeed.
But, if I lose sight of the One who gave me all of these gifts, I lose sight of something very precious:
that the Giver is the best gift of all. In Him, is the very source of everything that is good…
and fun…
and loving…
and warm…
and fulfilling…
and perfect.
If you don’t believe me, taste and see (Psalm 34:8). The goodness you seek, the life you want, the fullness of your joy…
is in the Giver of each and every one of your good and perfect gifts. Once you know Him, you won’t want to do life without Him. The good news is, you don’t have to. Starting your day with Him opens your heart to experience the treasures He places on the paths you take. You won’t miss them when you experience them together, by His side…
and you’ll awaken and come a little more alive with every God-moment you embrace.
Blessings to you, dear friends. I hope you’re answering His call to come away and find your peace in the time you spend alone with Him. This is where grateful hearts and beautiful lives begin. He is eager to show you that…
because He loves you like no other.
The weekend is upon us! ENJOY!!
Thank you Jessica for reminding me of so many blessings. I thank the Lord for his blessings every day, but I have never really sat down to write them as you did. That was pretty impressive!
I complain about the negativity in the media, yet I allow myself to be influenced negatively by a challenge that is not going my way or a symptom of unhealthiness. I know his blessings for me outweigh my challenges. So why do I allow the challenges to overpower the blessings?
Thank you for the reminder to answer His call and spend more time alone with Him. That is where peace can be found.