I am praiseful because life’s buttons
Are not remotely controlled
By someone, somewhere out there
Bound to favor his kin and kind:
I won’t have got a measly piece.
I am praiseful because life’s blessings
Belong not to those who know and have it all:
The least would not have reached me.
I am praiseful because life is a gift
Whose quality is not metered by mortals
Prejudiced, they err and fail and fade:
What a poor show it would have been!
I am praiseful because the gift of life
Is in the hands of the mighty God
Who gives freely to all without favoritism.

Food For Thought: On my way to work, I sensed the Lord ask me a question, “How many of your pursuits did you catch up with last year?” I didn’t need to think long because the fresh fragrance of the answers was blowing peacefully across my memory; things I earnestly pursued that eluded my short hands;  how in the seemingly inconvenient places of obedience, God elaborately decorated my life with precious gifts I couldn’t have got on my own; the disappointment my hard work fetched and how by simple trust, the dead lived again and glory emerged from least likely avenues. While ruminating over these, I sensed His encouragement, “As you focus on Me, I will meet your needs in ways that will blow your mind.” Is He able? Absolutely! God has given us all that is required for us to enjoy quality life. It was finished on the cross, nothing remains to be given and He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we can ever imagine or ask. All it takes for God to change a life is just a word, a step, in a twinkle of an eye. Hard work is great but there are things that are way beyond our efforts. Results that only God can grant us. May we fill our hearts with His Word and let it lead us, steadying whether we are up or down, steering through distractions and discouragements, guiding our communions and communications, helping us to say no to whatever compromises the awesome life He has called us to, until we lay hold of that for which Christ took hold of us.

Scripture: The life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us. 1 John 1: 2.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I am praiseful that life is not in the hands of someone who could lose it at some point and make a mess of us all: I am praiseful that it is in Your perfectly proven hands, amen.