Laced With Grace

“Wouldn’t it be great if we woke up one day to find that all of our debts were paid and we had a daily allowance to live on?” I asked my brother recently.   

I’m reading through the Old Testament and had recently finished reading about Jehoiachin King of Judah who was released from exile after thirty seven years.  I was sharing some of what I had read with one of my brothers.  His answer gave me much to think about.  He replied that in his opinion we already have that on any given day.   

Our needs are met but we decide that we “need” more.  We have food in the cupboard but it isn’t what we want to eat so we say we have no food.  We have clothes to wear, a car to drive and a home to live in but sometimes our eyes are on “something better.”  It isn’t enough for us that we have sufficient to survive on a daily basis because often our eyes are on having a little more. 

As I later reflected on what he said I once again read the verses related to Jehoiachin’s release from exile. 

 29 So Jehoiachin put aside his prison clothes and for the rest of his life ate regularly at the king’s table. 30 Day by day the king gave Jehoiachin a regular allowance as long as he lived. 2 Kings 25:29-30

 It didn’t say that Jehoiachin lived extravagantly, or that the King gave him a huge sum of money.  In fact his lifestyle then probably couldn’t even compare to when he himself was king.  What the scripture said was that he had food to eat and a regular allowance for as long as he lived.  I’m sure Jehoiachin was grateful that he was no longer in exile and that God provided for him on a daily basis.  I hope if for one moment he forgot his time in exile or felt ungrateful he had someone who reminded him of God’s provision the way my brother did me. 

Father help me to continue to trust you on a daily basis, to not be so concerned about what I consider ‘tomorrow’s needs’ that I don’t take the time to acknowledge and thank you for the fact the each day you provide for me exactly what I need for that day.

And when the layer of dew lifted, there, on the surface of the wilderness, was a small round substance, as fine as the frost on the ground.  So when the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?”  For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “This is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat.”- Exodus 16:14-15 NKJV

Ah, they did not know that the small round substance on the ground was to be their food for the next 40 years!  God had heard the Israelites complaints for food in the wilderness, and once again provided for His people, this time in the form of bread from heaven.   However, they did not recognize their blessing for what it was.  Moses had to explain it to them.

Once again there are several principles packed into this passage.  Let’s examine them, shall we?

1. Blessings can be tests.  God will use blessings to test our hearts in order to determine our level of obedience to him.
2. Blessings can be disguised. Gifts from God aren’t always immediately recognized as the blessings that they are.  Manna means “What?” The people didn’t know what to make of this new foreign substance at first glance.  Once it was explained to them by an objective source, Moses, who wasn’t complaining to God, they understood what they had.
3. Blessings can be squandered.  We need to use the blessings God gives us as he intends them to be used.  Notice the specific instructions given to the Israelites in Exodus 16 for handling their blessing. (v20-21) Following God’s instructions will keep our blessings alive.

Is there a blessing hanging around in your life that you have failed to recognize?  Are you using the ones you’ve received and recognized for God’s glory?  We are blessed to be a blessing to others.  What will you do with yours?

Last week, we had a momentous day at our house filled with colorful paper, bows, and lots of sugar.  Birthdays are best when enjoyed with a 5 year old, I’ve discovered.  Sprinkles on cupcakes and princess rings cause “oohs” and “aaahs” and pizza or hot dogs for dinner create great excitement.  Though little children are easy to please, they often forget to be thankful.  After each present is opened, we usually have to remind them to thank so-and-so for the Barbie or bubbles. 

When you’re reminded to be thankful and you say it out of duty, it’s just like kissing your sister.  There’s no feeling behind it.  But, I had a wonderful surprise during this birthday celebration.  With no prompting, my five year old told me with sincerity how thankful she was for her trip to Chuck E. Cheese and then she told her seven year old sister “thank you” for the little pony she received.  It was the best thank you I’ve ever recieved because it was heartfelt.

When was the last time I said thanks to my kids for being so sweet?  When was the last time I said thank you to my husband for all his helpfulness around the house?  When did I thank my neighbor for keeping an eye on my house while I’m gone?  When have I thanked my pastor for all his hard work in feeding our souls? 

Why wait to be prompted?  The apostle Paul told us to make gratitude a way of life, to be continually, always, often, regularly reminded to thank God and others. 

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. (New Living)

A truly thankful heart is also a truly happy heart.  When you keep your eyes open for opportunities to be thankful, you will notice all that God is doing around you more readily.  Today, I’m going to follow my daughter’s example by writing some thank you notes to a few people who have blessed me recently.  How about you?  Is there someone you need to thank today?

Father, thank you for the gifts you give us each day, for the sunshine and the moon, the green grass and breeze through the leaves, for crickets and sunsets, for rain and chirping birds.  Thank you Lord for all You’ve given us!  Fill us today with a heart of thankfulness, for we know without Your power, we can do nothing.  Amen.