Though I am yet far from perfect
I choose again and again, to rejoice;
I am grateful to be the recipient of life
When many are dead and dying still.
I am grateful that I am healthy
When many are ailing in despair.
I am grateful because hope lives in me
In spite of all I may miss or lack.
I am grateful that God is my help
Despite my seeming helplessness.
I may not yet be who I dream
I may not yet be where I long
I may not yet have all I want
Yet I am grateful to be alive:
To the living there is hope
To the hopeful, help is near.
Look back and see how far we’ve come! Whereas some of us are amazed at where we are today, some of us feel very disappointed with our current status. Life hasn’t been fair? Things haven’t worked as expected? Whichever is your case, don’t forget: God is always faithful no matter what. It is by His faithfulness that we are not worse off. To His mercies and grace we owe our lives. Life is not a right we claim. It is a gift that appreciates when shared in unconditional love. Every moment is an opportunity, what are you doing with yours? All you did in the past may not have turned out as it should but to the living, hope remains, opportunity calls. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil (Hebrews 6: 19.)
Opportunities don’t always come as expected. Sometimes, we have to go out of our way and search them out. Sometimes, we may have to get out of our routine to see what’s waiting at the other end. And very often, opportunity comes dressed as service. We mislead ourselves into thinking service is limited to monetary contributions, church activities and charity works. Without neglecting those, the little mercies count as well; a kind word that boosts the weak and the forlorn, grace that replaces tears with smiles, consolation that lifts downcast hearts, unexplainable acts that strengthen and deliver, being part of minute miracles of each new day that helps others appreciate life; gratitude for the air and food and drink that pass the right paths to accomplish what they ought, prayers and medications that refresh and bring recovery; ability to rise after a fall, finding hope when many are dying in want – what we do with every moment life affords us is never too small. These easily overlooked treasures form part of the account records.
Don’t wait until you can deliver big deeds. Thank God if opportunity comes but what if it doesn’t? There are many that don’t have as much as you presently do, many more who never will. The prevailing weather is ‘ingratitude’, that’s why it is easier to whine and whimper about unanswered prayers and what we don’t have, with little care for little mercies that go so far. You can start by nurturing gratitude for life and for the little things.
Don’t wait until you have the whole message to deliver a sermon. Give as much as you have today, carry over nothing. When tomorrow comes, God will provide a fresh one if you have given all of today’s. I have learned to give it all each day as if it is my last and God has never failed to bring something fresh from ‘nowhere’. If you wait until you have it all together, it may be too late. Start right where you are, with what you have, however you can, and fill God with sufficient reasons to multiply you on every side. It conveys that you won’t guzzle the seed or drown in the harvest, that every addition will yield greater returns, not more requests. The good and faithful servants returned the profit on the first principal before they got the increase. Life is richer as we follow the Shepherd, sharing as we go. Dear Lord, no matter what life throws at us, help us to choose joyfulness and gratefulness on a daily basis: may our praises never be wanting in Your presence on any day, for whatever be the reasons, amen.
Blessings.
Glory!