I can't believe how blessed I am.
I've done nothing to deserve anything good from God. If you feel like keeping score, I figure that Jesus ensuring my salvation by dying on the cross pretty much left that scoreboard eternally lopsided. Any offering I give, whether its through service, giving my talents, my money or my devotion will never measure up. Its chump change. But I can assure you that it doesn't present to God that way.
Think of it like this:
Remember those Christmas gifts you made for your Mom when you were in preschool. Your little 4 year old hands worked as hard as they could to insure that your Mom received the very best reindeer Popsicle ornament you could muster. And the next day, when the teacher finally allowed you to present this masterpiece to your Mom, you excitedly and anxiously awaited her arrival so you could see her face as she beheld the one-of-a-kind never-to-be-outdone piece de resistance.
And as sure as the sun rises, your mom never disappointed in her reaction...
(ok... maybe she did but just engage suspension of disbelief for now...)
"It's beauuuuuutiful! Did YOU make this all by your self! WOW! What is this for his red nose? Felt! How creative! You are so good at ornament making! Are you secretly a Christmas Elf? Oh its so wonderful! I cant wait to hang it on the tree! ..."
Truth be told... the muddled pile of Elmers glue, felt balls, popsicle sticks and glitter that you presented resembles something more like Yoda than Rudolph - but it doesn't matter. It was all you could muster. You put your entire being into that gift and presented it with a fullness of heart that flattered the one that brought you into this world. It was an offering given with all of your everything...
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10:27
For some reason, the God of the universe has decided to grade us on a curve. For those who receive Him, He magnifies our offerings and diminishes - no - forgives and forgets our iniquities because of His natural Love for us - the kind of Love that is only born from creating something. The love of a Father.
And as if forgiveness isn't enough, God's immeasurable Love goes even further. Not only does He give us intelligence, opportunity, talents and so much more - but he also showers us with all our heart's desires.
"Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4
My husband, my home, my puppy, my neighborhood, my neighbors, the neighborhood kids, my car, my other car, my natural family, my new families, the family that will be created through Michal and I one day, dinner and a movie, Christmas cards from far off friends, time to enjoy Christmas for once, spending the Holidays laughing with my new family, having two sets of Grandparents again...
The hits just keep on coming! Each blessing is a reminder that, through no good deed of my own, my Father in heaven just likes to spoil me to see my reaction to it.
Well... this is me saying THANK YOU! It hasn't gone unnoticed. I see You every day. In every way, surrounding me with Your guiding embrace. Thank You for everyone in my life. Thank you for Your provision, but more than anything THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE.
I hope this post reminds you (the reader) to give credit where it's due because...
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights..." James 1:17
