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 (NIV)
Eight months ago, our family of five moved from a four-bedroom, two-bath rental home to a nine-hundred-square-foot, two-bedroom, one-bath rental home. It squeezed us in more ways than one. We lost a bathroom in the process, and bathrooms are important. There have been harsh words exchanged over who gets the bathroom first and discussions over how long a shower needs to be. (Both are followed by pounding on the bathroom door). We have struggled with the loss. Don’t we deserve two bathrooms?
Really, we have more than we deserve. Over two billion people in the world don’t have basic sanitation. One bathroom is over-the-top living. This small home has been an eye-opener and a reminder of how easily we take for granted the extravagances of modern life. Not only has Jesus provided us with eternal life, but He’s provided for our physical needs here on earth. From the electricity that lights up our homes to the food on our table. He gives us so much.
Often, we take it as if we deserve it. Like rich kids who don’t recognize their dad’s generosity. In the presence of Jesus’s daily abundance, we easily feel entitled and forget how truly blessed we are. But we don’t have to forget. We can choose to move away from an attitude of entitlement and embrace an attitude of gratitude. Jesus has blessed our socks off. Let’s decide to live with open hearts, full of thankfulness, for every good and perfect gift that Jesus has sent our way.
FAITH STEP: Write a list of ten things you’re grateful for and put it on your fridge. Each time you open your fridge today, read the list aloud and thank Jesus.
