The Good Stuff

God works in our hearts and minds through so many different angles. I love, now that I am so much more aware of His constant presence, that He leaves me love notes all throughout my day. For example; I can get a word or message from my flip calendar, the radio, my devotional, a friend, a Sunday sermon, an email, the kids' Wednesday church programming, a blog, a phone call, a TV show or commercial, my childrens' comments and questions, of course the Bible.... you see... the list goes on and on... if only we pay attention and realize where the good stuff comes from.

I want you to know that I am not avoiding my work in pursuing thanks and sharing God's messages. I am actually having a hard time staying away from the next verses that the Lord has for us to look at.

What happened is, while praying about His messages for this week, I had a strong feeling in my spirit to share these lessons of thanks, written by others. At first, it didn't seem right, to me, to use someone else's writing in my blog. But then as I let the idea settle, I realized that God uses all kinds of "good stuff" to teach His truth to His people. Pastors do it all the time. I'm no pastor or spiritual leader, but God did tell me to teach those that want to learn about cultivating a thankful mindset how to do it. So I'm doing it. Let's call it obedience, OK?

Here is another of the messages that I ran across last week, while traveling. It comes from my daily devotional, Jesus Calling, from Thanksgiving Day (November 22). Please read this passage and imagine Jesus looking directly into your eyes and speaking these words just to you, for you:

A Thankful attitude opens windows of heaven. Spiritual blessings fall freely onto you through those openings into eternity. Moreover, as you look up with a grateful heart, you get glimpses of Glory through those windows. You cannot yet live in heaven, but you can experience foretastes of your ultimate home. Such samples of heavenly fare revive your hope. Thankfulness opens you up to these experiences, which then provide further reasons to be grateful. Thus, your path becomes an upward spiral: ever increasing in gladness.

Thankfulness is not some sort of magic formula; it is the language of Love, which enables you to communicate intimately with Me. A thankful mind-set does not entail a denial of reality with its plethora of problems. Instead, it rejoices in Me, your Savior, in the midst of trials and tribulations. I am your refuge and strength, an ever-present and well-proved help in trouble.

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior." Habakkuk 3:17-18

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1(amp)

That message drew me in so intimately because it made me understand a new way to feel close to my mom (who just went to heaven this fall). "Windows of heaven," "glimpses of Glory," "You cannot yet live in heaven, but you can experience foretastes of your ultimate home"... mom is already experiencing these things every moment that I am missing her. Knowing this, changing my mind-set, allows me to rejoice for her and be happy for her, instead of the alternative of feeling sorry for myself. This doesn't come naturally, I have to work on it daily. I am so grateful that Jesus loves me enough to see me through this and hold my hand while I learn.

"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b