“Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits…” Psalm 68:19a
I’m kinda slow. Sometimes I don’t notice the simple blessings God showers on me daily. Perhaps I’m too busy, or my spiritual radar is off-track. I really do want to be more thankful, so I’m going to ask God to make me cognizant of things to thank Him for – big or small.
“Small” would describe one blessing that brought a smile today. It was the size of a satsuma; actually, it was a satsuma. And not just one, but, as you see in the photo, clusters of the tempting fruit, literally dripping with sweetness.
I had stopped to join some friends for some walking exercise, and as the group readied to leave, my friend asked if I liked satsumas; someone had dropped off a large bag of them. Since I’ve been trying to eat healthier, fruits and veggies are replacing an overabundance of starchy carbs, fats and sweets on my plate. And satsumas rank up toward the top as fruity faves!
Putting them away, I thought of other simple pleasures of the day: having a nice, warm bed to arise from this morning, a clear mind to sort through the activities of the day, lunch with our senior adults at church, a heating pad to ease my aching back this afternoon, and a pair of dry socks and a cup of steamy coffee to enjoy after being in-and-out of the rain for most of the day.
Admittedly, none of these ranks up there with winning the grand prize in a contest you’d forgotten you’d entered, but they are things for which we can – and should - thank and praise God. Can’t you imagine Him smiling when He sees our pleasure in such small favors? He delights in arranging them and presenting them to us. And it’s all because He loves us so!
Maybe my “thanksgiving” should turn into “thanks-living”…copying God’s loving nature by sharing things with others, just as my friend did with me. God, the great example-giver, patterns the way. I’ve but to take up the mantle and follow.
Best wishes from lefthandrightbrain:)
