“God, thank You for loving me so generously. Help me to follow You with joy even in the face of opposition.”
~Our Daily Bread
A Prayer for Today
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Tag Archives: Gratitude
A Prayer for Today
“Loving Father, forgive me for the times I’ve taken You and Your blessings for granted. Create in me a thankful heart, so I’ll honor and praise You for all You’ve done and are doing.”
~Our Daily Bread
Today’s Quote on Gratitude
“God’s great kindnesses to us remind us of one of life’s great realities. He not only deserves our love and worship, He also deserves our thankful hearts. Everything that is good in life comes from Him.”
~Bill Crowder
Scripture for Reflection: James 1:17
GRATITUDE
Trusting God’s Provision
“We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!” (Numbers 11:5-6 NIV)
For the past few months, I’ve been adjusting. Yes, this COVID-19 pandemic keeps me inside more than before, so I need to find a way to see this change as a blessing. As a new adventure on this God given journey.
However, I never thought moving to a new city would uncover the selfishness and ungratefulness in my heart.
Our new home in Nevada is the exact opposite of our home in California. Although the ocean is far away, beautiful mountains take its place. The air is drier, but brilliant sunshine wakes me each morning, just like it did in California.
It’s quieter here and life moves at a much slower pace. I notice people going about their daily lives with less fear, anxiety, and anger. Some days it seems like we are in a bubble.
So, what triggered my bad attitude? Continue reading
Gratitude
Losing a Friend Is Not Easy
Have you ever ended a friendship? Made the decision to stop interacting with someone who was once considered family? What pushes us to the point where reconciliation is not an option? For me, it was a painful decision that I made several years ago.
When I think about the pain that led to the split, it makes me question the validity of our friendship.
GRATITUDE
Hope for Healing
Our city, like most of the world, has had severe restrictions in place because of the COVID-19 virus. Most of my neighbors are home, and I am getting used to the noise that comes with it. I live with chronic pain and illness, and I am comfortable being home. At first, I felt isolated, but now it is not an issue for me.
It is nice to spend time with my family. It brings back memories of the days when my children were small. Now, I’m blessed to enjoy their company and friendship. Most of our time together is pleasant, but this morning, I feel like I’m in double isolation.
GRATITUDE
Learning to Let Go of Fear
It’s not easy to let go of fear in times like these. Everywhere I turn, there’s news and statistics on this COVID-19/Coronavirus. In Matthew 24,Jesus talks about days of great tribulation. And in Revelation 6, John sees horror on the earth – death, plagues, famines. It feels like we are in the midst of these days that are listed in the Bible.
And even though the Bible tells me not to worry, I still find myself worried about this new virus. I see a report and ask myself what will happen if I get sick? It takes me three times longer than the average person to recover from the flu. Fatigue is a normal part of my day, and if this new illness brings additional fatigue with it, what will that do to my body? I sense the fear enveloping me and pray for peace and hope and strength to get through these uncertain days. Continue reading
GRATITUDE
Learning to Accept My Body
Most of the time, I don’t have a problem slipping on my mask. The smile. The laughter. The attention to others. Continuing to push when I’m tired. Working to please others, sometimes to my detriment.
But, I don’t have the energy or strength to put that mask on right now. I look at myself in the mirror, and my eyes say it all – “I’m worn out. Physically tired. Beaten up emotionally. Desperate spiritually.”
Even though my journey through chronic pain and illness has lasted over forty years, I admit I continue struggling with complete transparency when it comes to my health, and I acknowledge the times I shy away from my husband and children. I’m sure they recognize when I’m not feeling well, but they choose to ignore it and allow me to keep going.
Recently however, something snapped. And I knew I had to let go of everything that added pressure, weight, and stress to my life. Continue reading
GRATITUDE
Finding a Way to Appreciate My Body
I had a shocking reaction to a reality TV show the other day. The episode featured a woman confronting her insecurities about her body. Even though she was a five-year breast cancer survivor, she couldn’t celebrate the milestone. She felt ugly and anxious because her treatments and surgeries altered her body.
And no matter how her mother and husband tried to reassure her, she remained depressed.
It surprised me to feel emotional, to have my eyes fill with tears. After the show, I turned off the TV and sat in the quiet room, wanting to make sense of my reaction. Continue reading
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!
My book, No Easy Answers, Learning to Accept My Perfect Weakness, is available in paperback and Kindle on Amazon.com. I pray the devotions will bless and encourage you. Please let me know what you think!
Living Water by Dorothea Love 