DEVOTIONAL 48: THANKFUL FOR THE LITTLE THINGS

In this current mode of thankfulness, I thought it might be fun to meditate on the little things God has done that make our lives so delightful. Yes, “in this world we will have trouble,” but we will also have moments when we take in His creation of breathtaking beauty that He formed for our mutual delight. We will have moments when we observe a lightning bug or a flock of geese with their unerring navigational skills or a drop of water under a microscope, and experience genuine awe. There has never been an architect who could fashion something as perfect and self-sustainable as a tree. There has never been an engineer who could invent a series of co-dependent systems that work as amazingly as the human body. There has never been a chemist who could create a solution that sustained life, maintained perfect Ph, hosted so many living creatures, and avoided stagnation and staved off pollution like the ocean. Each miracle is enough to keep me mesmerized for years if I truly wanted to try to figure out how He did it.

Let’s not be complacent about the familiar miracles we take for granted. I mean, it really is an amazing thing to watch how a caterpillar builds a cocoon and emerges a butterfly. The stars across the black sky on a clear night are spectacular. Just because they have been there our entire lives, let’s not forget to take in that light show that is free and better than any laser production I have ever paid for. And how do those little bird bodies fly so high and kick their babies out of the nest at just the perfect moment so they can fly? Oh, I know it is something about hollow bones, but God designed that anatomy so they could soar and enjoy just being a bird. It’s their only job! Examine that rose closely, every part. No artist has an intricate, delicate design of so much beauty. Then look at a lily and a daisy and a hyacinth, and see God’s infinite creativity. Go stand at the bottom of a mountain. Get a glimpse of God’s magnitude.

Think of the last time someone noticed you—a kindness you did, something you did well, an insight you had. God gave them that glimpse and appreciation of you. Think of the last time you said something that warmed someone’s heart or comforted a friend or made someone smile. God gave that observation or impulse to you. Think of your family or your church family or the family God has given you comprised of friends, past or present. Think of the family of our future we have to look forward to as we will live in perfect harmony together, sisters and brothers worshiping our Father all day long in Heaven.

This is the start of my list. What is on yours? What in humanity, nature, the Bible, God’s character and creations has ever made you grateful? Praise Him for those today.

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