When are you truly thankful? What are you thankful for? Is it a flat screen TV? A new car? A big house? Or are you thankful for a roof over your head and a vehicle that takes you from point A to point B. What kinds of things are truly promised to us by God? What things are guaranteed to us by our state and our country? When do needs become wants and a line is crossed where you are no longer content for what you have but discontent because you WANT something you don’t really need?
I can truly say I live a very contented life knowing that God watches out for me and has always provided for me. I have a husband that God gave me and we lead a close life as a married couple. For 40 years he has treated me like a princess. He still opens the door for me when we go out to the car. I love him more than life itself.
I am thankful for two daughters and the differences between them. Holly is the oldest and she was the most challenging of the two girls to raise. She has a quick wit and has never had to study to get a good grade, just like her father. She likes to write like I do. Missy, however, is more like me, contented with what she has and more than willing to wait and save for what she wants. She loves crafts and making things herself. I always say Missy can pinch a buffalo nickel and turn it into a quarter. She is amazing. Holly works very hard but always tells me “don’t work harder, work smarter” and she works that way every day. Her computer knowledge is unbelievable and even my boss has been known to call her for help on a project. When Missy started high school she went to the school office everyday from August until January asking the counselor to allow her to advance and graduate in two years instead of 3. Her determination and confidence in herself is marvelous. They finally got tired of her asking every day and let her excel on her own. She finished all three years in two years. She did 7th period optional, took classes in night school and summer school. All of this, plus Missy played in the marching band. Missy was always on the move. How can I not be thankful for the two daughters God allowed us to raise? They are exceptional adults, both of them, yet they are so different from each other. I look at my own 4 sisters and see how different we are but there was never a closeness between us like with Missy and Holly.
Would I ever want more than I have? I could say yes but it would really not be true. Every time I have wanted more, even before I realized it myself, God has provided it. Until about 5 years ago we only had a 19” television. Mike entered a drawing and won a 51 inch television. It ended up being a $1500 gift certificate. We bought a 32 inch TV, more than large enough for our home, a new microwave, a new dishwasher and several other items. It actually took us 2 years to spend it all because we really didn’t NEED anything at the time we won the Gift Certificate. Another time Mike won a cruise for us thru AAA. We usually spent our vacations going to Michigan so going on a cruise, just the two of us, was a blessing we had never had a NEED for and really not a want so we were once again blessed before we had a desire. One year later, at the same event, Mike won Gift Certificates from all of the restaurants in our area of Tampa, there were about 15 of them. We like to eat out but never at expensive places. We were blessed with opportunities to share the certificates with others and use a few ourselves. Again, we were thankful for a blessing we didn’t even know we had a desire for.
What is promised to us? God says “I wish above all that you prosper and be in good health, even as your soul prospers.” During the worst times of my life, I turned to finding more of God. Those times were filled with blessing after blessing. They have made me content with the things I have. I drive an 12 year old car that takes me where I need to go. I love purses but would never spend $3500 for one. I could buy a car for that and it would have 4 wheels and a motor. What one person thinks of as a need, another thinks of as a desire of their heart. We are in such a sad economy but people can’t live without a cell phone or cable TV and the internet, can they? I work very hard and am so happy I have a job and I enjoy the people that I work with. What are the real needs in life? Food, air (not air conditioning, although in Florida it truly feels like a need) clothing and a roof over our heads.
In today's age and mentality, people are willing to just sit and wait for the government to provide. The government is not our provider, God is. Yes, I believe that you need to give to Caesar what is due Caesar and I believe that if you lose your job you should get unemployment. These are umbrella's. They are not meant to be your primary source of income. God wants us to contribute to others and He wants a relationship with us. When we start thinking of the government as our primary provider - we stop depending on God.
In today's age and mentality, people are willing to just sit and wait for the government to provide. The government is not our provider, God is. Yes, I believe that you need to give to Caesar what is due Caesar and I believe that if you lose your job you should get unemployment. These are umbrella's. They are not meant to be your primary source of income. God wants us to contribute to others and He wants a relationship with us. When we start thinking of the government as our primary provider - we stop depending on God.
When you understand blessings and can be content with your life, it leaves you free to give and help others. If you ever have some time, take out a piece of paper and look around you. Write down all of the ITEMS God has blessed you with. Once that is done, give God thanks.
“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Matt 6:31-33
Matt 6:31-33
