Issue 800 – Stop and Smell the Roses – July 16, 2022
While driving back from Edmonton, we came across a large herd of female elk. I managed to snap a shot of this young one stopping to smell the wild roses/
Okay, she wasn’t really smelling them; she was eating them. Still, I thought it was a cute moment.
Often in life, we are told to slow down, stop and smell the flowers. We are told to count our blessings. Yet somehow, we fall prey to busyness and seldom take time to appreciate the good things.
In our busyness, it is easy to forget our blessings and concentrate on the things that we don’t have or are not going well. It can easily make us ungrateful and discontent.
Christians, of all people, have the most reasons to be grateful. Even if we lived a short pain-filled life of earthly squalor, we have much to be thankful for. Not only are our sins forgiven and our destiny secure, but the Lord Jesus himself also intercedes on our behalf. The Holy Spirit dwells within us, empowering us and interceding.
It is no wonder that the apostle Paul admonishes us to, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
You would think that when things went well, we would be appreciative and grateful. Ironically, that is often the time when we most take our blessings for granted and forget to appreciate them. When times get hard, we stop to remember how good God is and spend grateful time with Him.
We don’t often speak of virtues today. Somehow the concept seems quaint and old-fashioned, almost embarrassing. Yet, gratitude is an essential Christian virtue.
Gratitude can change our attitude. It can stop gossip and negativity. It can cause us to focus our eyes on the truly important things and the One
who makes all things possible.
Let’s take some time today and smell the roses (and not eat them).
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed
Kevin.
Gleanings From The Word.
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)
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