I thank You , O Lord, for the specialness of the four seasons. The spring brings its freshness and newness of life. The summer with its steady light and warmth stimulates growth. The fall contains many colors of Joseph’s coat and calls for preparation for times of solitude. And, winter offers quiet stillness and time to think and reflect. In the same way that the natural seasons impact and influence my life, so do the seasons of my life. My winter starts with the stark barrenness caused by missed opportunities and bad choices, but it’s refreshed by Your love and forgiveness that springs from a tender heart. As things in my life begin to improve and I become open to Your leading, I feel the warmth of Your love and it stimulates me to grow to be more like You. When I am in tune with You, I am able to recognize the small things You put into my life and I’m overjoyed by the beauty of the gifts that You bestow on me.
When my life has been energized by my faith in You and my life begins to flourish as I obey Your commands, my whole being wants to cry out “come see the works of God, awesome are the things He has done for me.” I accept the fact that most of the things You do for me are not huge, by earthly standards, but they are the things that move my life forward. I’ve come to appreciate the little things that are so meaningful like … a kind and encouraging word from a friend … a heart-felt thank you when I’ve gone out of my way to do something good for another … a moment of revelation from the Holy Spirit exposing me to a truth I’d never seen before … or, a door opened when they all seemed shut. So help me always be thankful for the things you have done, are doing and will be doing to fill my life with goodness. Show me how to take the baby steps required to move my life in the right direction rather than struggling with giant steps I cannot master.
To advance my life, I must come to grips with the fact that change can only be accomplished one day at a time. To become embroiled in all the uncertainties of the future, wastes my time and promotes mental anguish. If I deal effectively with things as they come up each day, then my tomorrows will be less stressful and more fulfilling. This does not mean I should not plan for the future … it means I should not get fixated on things I cannot control. I must do what I can do and count on You to do what I cannot. Life is filled with all sorts of problems, but I know You have a solution for each of them. I must realize that it took a lot of little things to get me where I am and it will take a lot of little things to get me to a better tomorrow. As I walk hand-in-hand with You accepting the little, but continuous, gifts You offer … I know that, as I give thanks, my outlook and future will become brighter. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
Proverbs 15:16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.