It’s a simple concept. In fact, it almost seems trite. How many times throughout life have we been told to be grateful for what we have? Yet, gratitude, even in its most elementary, basic form, works. It causes us to think about our blessings and the Source of our blessings, and in those thoughts we find true affection for God and all that He’s done.
Moses stands before us in Scripture as a man worthy of deep reflection. The Word of God declares that by faith he refused to be identified as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing instead to suffer affliction with the people of God rather than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. He esteemed the reproach of Christ as greater riches than all the treasures of Egypt. Here was a man who saw beyond the present world and laid hold of eternal realities.
“This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight.” 1 Timothy 1:18 (NASB 1995)
Yesterday I watched four-yearold Ivy play on the sidewalk. It’s already hot in Texas, and she wanted to put on her swimsuit and play with the water hose. As I watched her, a thought struck that surprised me. I thought, “It must be so wonderful to be Ivy because she doesn’t spend a second of her day thinking hateful thoughts about her body.” All she knows about her body is that it runs fast. It jumps high. It showcases princess dresses, and it helps her play with toys, paint, color, and do all of things that make her life fun.
213 E. Main St.
PO Box 577
Olney, Texas 76374
Phone: (940) 564-5558
Fax: (940) 564-3992
