Monday, November 12, 2012

Thankful Days



Several of my facebook friends are posting things they’re thankful for every day this month. I enjoy reading their notes, and it’s made me think of how all the things we so often appreciate are really manifestations of God and his goodness.

Here’s what I mean:  As I think of specific things I’m grateful for, some of the things I notice are clean sheets, the sky, fall leaves, my wonderful husband, good food, brightly colored flowers, little birds flitting around the feeder, heat coming out of the vents in my floor. I know, and have often said to others, that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17). Recently, I am learning to see God in all of these things.  I don’t mean that I am becoming a pantheist, but that I see God’s hand and character in the things He made.

My flannel sheets (is anything better on a cold night?) remind me that God is loving and tender, the source of all comfort; fall leaves are a sign of his faithfulness in bringing the seasons around on schedule; my husband—and others who love me—show me that God is love; the coleus sitting in my window depicts His loveliness; the chickadees, cardinals, titmice, and all their friends are evidence of God’s creativity; good food shows his bounty and his goodness to provide not just our needs but also our delights. 

Much has been written about the names of God, and that is certainly a worthwhile study. However, one does not have to be a Hebrew scholar to see God. Psalm 19 reminds us that “the heavens declare the glory of God,” and goes on to assert that “there is no voice or language where their voice is not heard.”  In other words, people all over the world can see God’s glory. Mankind is completely without excuse when it comes to opportunities to know God.  I can see Him even on my facebook wall!

--Sherry Poff

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