Be grateful, even in the little

Be greatful - even in the little

What should have been a very simple in and out at our local store yesterday, turned into a heartwarming lesson for me and my friend once again. I always think to myself that God knows exactly where He wants us to be at a specific time and when we are available vessels He will use us as He needs to.  Reaching out to get an item on the shelf a man walked over to us looking down and appeared extremely nervous/sad - "Mam, he asked, if I take this milk and my baby's food (very small milk and box of baby food), will I have enough money". We immediately saw that he will be short and so he decided to rather leave the bread he had in the basket and just take the food for his baby. Let the baby rather eat and they will go hungry. Well, tears filled up in our eyes and our hearts just could not take the pain.  We at least managed to sort him out in order for them all to have a meal that night.  In South Africa we see this on a daily basis (I am sure many other Countries as well). It really breaks a person's heart. I do believe that is why God wants us to be His vessels and be available to do His work for Him.  We have to make sure we are in touch with our surroundings on a daily basis and we have to be in ministry every second, helping those that are in need. Ministry for me does not mean just to go to church on a Sunday and now work is done. No, ministry means reaching out to those that need us every second as God sends people our way.

My friend gives packets of biscuits out to people with a message on "Jesus loves You" or "You are special in God's eyes" on a daily basis, just randomly as she is lead, and normally people smile from ear to ear. Just somebody who cares, just something so small means so very much to others.

Give thanks in all circumstances

1 Thessalonians 5:18 : "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you". 

It is very difficult to give thanks or to be grateful in difficult situations. We are after all only human.

• The mother/father who lost a child
• A difficult divorce
• Not being able to provide for your family
• People who experience loneliness and no love

But Jesus is such an example to us. He still blessed His enemies and gave thanks during His very difficult times. When He was treated so badly He still gave thanks to God.

Who of us give thanks on a daily basis. Just to say Father thank you for all you do even though I dont even deserve it. This will keep us humble and make sure whatever we receive we give the Glory to God, where it belongs.We don't always understand why certain things happen to us, but when we look back I am sure we can see how far we have come and see how God was still with us during the difficult times. 

So from today let us be grateful each day for one thing (or more) that God puts in our hearts. 

Look around you from today and start to notice different things and say thank you to God for what you have been given.  When you look at your children even if they are a bit mischievous at times, thank God for their health and thank God for the great gift. For our homes, cars, food, finances, work, health so many many things... but even in the little, our hearing, sight, rain, your beautiful rainbow you gave us as an oath; thank God that we can wake up in the mornings and His mercy is new. Thank Him that He sent somebody to you to help out with a bread so they can eat dinner.

God says to us that if we can be faithfull in the little He will make sure that we will be blessed (in abundance), but not so that we can be swamps and keep everything to ourselves, NO, so we can be rivers of blessings to others.

We must remember that what what we take for granted others pray for. So let us not take anything for granted but let us be rivers of blessings to others.

Pray with me ...

Oh Father God, I am so sorry for not saying thank you to you enough, if I have been selfish I humbly ask for forgiveness and I pray that you will renew my heart so that I can be grateful just like Jesus was, our example. We pray that You will send people to us in need so that we can glorify your name in the process. Let us be Your vessels Lord, your hands and feet, so that people don't have to struggle so badly.  We thank you for all that you do for us and we thank you for all that you give us. All for Your glory Father.

My Jesus, Jesus ...

make me a river of blessings

to others, to uplift your Name

The sweetest Name I know

Let us be grateful even in the little

Let us be grateful when You give

Let us be grateful when You take

As life has serious challenges

Lets make it lighter for others

Give us the strength Jesus

And let us always be grateful

Even in the little ....