From Thy Bounty

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
                                                           James 1:17




As the end of 2019 is quickly approaching and Thanksgiving day is now upon us, I pause to reflect on the events of this past year. For us, 2019 has been a year that has been extremely difficult for many reasons. In fact, it may have been our most difficult year yet. We have already buried one close family member and just placed another close family member in hospice. Additionally, we have traversed major upheavals in many other areas of our lives. At times, it has felt like there was no security or comfort to be found on this earth. And, then again, maybe that's the very point.

Through it all, I have discovered some of the sweetest blessings that I have ever known. I have experienced firsthand how "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted [and that] He saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18). We have witnessed just how tender His daily mercies really can be and that He always provides exactly what we need when we need it. He has shown His love to us at unexpected times and in unexpected ways and through unexpected people, all the while letting us know with certainty that every goodness was showered directly from His loving hands.

We have also seen how when we are weak that He really is strong through us and that His grace is sufficient for whatever we may face in this life (2 Corinthians 12:9-11). On the days when we awoke and doubted the ability to face more unknown circumstances, Jesus clearly filled us with whatever strength, or peace, or joy, that was required. Not once did He ever let us down. He never chastised us for our limitations. Instead, He graciously took us by the hand and gave us clarity in how to handle each task we faced before us.

Additionally, God has brought some extremely precious people to us in the midst of our pain. Whether they came with a smile, or a prayer, or a needed hug, time and again, we have witnessed the genuine hearts of loving people that just happened to be at the exact right place at the exact right time. Are these mere coincidences? Certainly not!

He also showered us with unexpected joys and blessings. He gave us a beautiful new grandson in October that is precious beyond words. There is nothing like a newborn snuggle to eradicate any difficult circumstance that may come our way. Daily, this baby brings a smile to our faces and a joy to our hearts that supersedes every flaming dart hurled in our direction. And, there are too many other blessings that have happened to mention in a short blog.

Through it all, we have realized that the depth of God's bounty is never-ending. None of us will ever exhaust His resources or run out of His supply. He really is the Fountain of Life, the air that we breathe, and the giver of all good things (Acts 17:25). He is kind and generous and loves to care for the children He created and adores.

Merriam-Webster defines bounty as "something that is given generously; liberality in giving; yield, especially of a crop; and a reward, premium, or subsidy". And, daily, God lavishes us from His bounty. Daily, His tender mercies towards us are new (Lamentations 3:23).

One of the greatest lessons I have learned from our experiences this year is that we really are just passing through this earth. This cannot, nor will not, be our permanent home. We have a far more glorious home to look forward to in the presence of our Lord and never again will any of us who are in Christ have to face sorrow, or pain, or loss, or suffering, or death. This truly will be the greatest gift we have ever or will ever receive.

The next important lesson I have learned came from a saying that I saw on a coffee mug. It stated, "Life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful." Even in the midst of hard challenges, we still can have eyes to see the beautiful sunrise or the heart to appreciate a gentle touch. There is so much goodness to be found when we realize that we really deserve no good things and yet God gifts us everyday with so many beautiful and perfect gifts.

The third important lesson that I have really learned how to do is to "give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Granted, I am not giving thanks for all things because some things are really, really hard. However, throughout each day, there are always some things we truly can be thankful for and when we recognize God's sovereign hand in all things, it is much easier to give Him thanks for this.

So, if this Thanksgiving finds you in a place of suffering or mourning, please remember that God is near to you. He loves you beyond anything that you can fathom and He will strengthen you each and every day. If you turn to Him, His grace will give you everything you need. Also remember that daily He showers you with tender mercies and blessings in the midst of your circumstances. While our challenges and circumstances shift and change, God never does change. He is always good and always merciful to us and His bounty never runs dry.

And, if this has been a good year for you, remember that it is from His bounty that you have also been blessed. As the turkey is carved, remember how God created those turkeys for our enjoyment. When you look at the people around your table, remember He has blessed you with both friends and family. And, when you offer Him your Thanksgiving prayer, enumerate each blessing that He has given and give thanks with your whole heart.

Both the good and the difficult are from His bounty. His hand is upon them all. None are ever intended to harm us or hurt us. Instead, they are all given through the loving hands of a loving Father who both sees our potential and our destiny and is determined to equip us to fulfill our callings on this earth and in the life to come. In Christ, there is a joy to come that will instantaneously erase every sorrow in the twinkling of an eye and reveal to us just how generous that our God really is!

So, remember to thank God for His generosity. Remember to thank Him for His goodness. Remember to thank Him for His tender mercies and the abundance of His grace. Remember to thank Him for the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf. Thank Him for the strength that the Holy Spirit gives to us each day and that His Bounty continues to flow from now until eternity!


   MAY EACH OF YOU HAVE A BLESSED THANKSGIVING, FILLED WITH THE              
                                         PRESENCE OF JESUS!!!!!!!!!