Monday - June 23, 2008

Blessings Upon Blessings
We just got back from vacation. Yes, the price of gas was high and yes, we had to drive our old minivan and yes, we had to conserve on spending. Yet, we still had a wonderfully relaxing time, far greater than I could have imagined as a child. We are all so spoiled. Let us praise our God for all the blessings we have, not beg for all the wants we think we deserve and must have.
“Our Father, God, blessed be your Holy name. May we be aware of the rich privilege of living so near Heaven each day, as we share your love with others, that we can feel the brush of angel wings. We praise you and thank you for the beautiful lives of the children you lent to us, to call our own for this brief time on Earth. We know the awesome responsibility we have as parents, and willingly sacrifice our wants and desires for material possessions, so we can spend the time necessary to mold them into your people. We thank you for the country we call home. You painted the mountains with a broad brush of color and covered it with a veil of breathy dew. Your woods and forests are lush and green with life. Your skies are splashed with blue and dotted with winged creation that can soar above us and sing songs of joy to our hearts. Yet, we complain if our television is not large enough or our cell phone doesn’t have as many bells and whistles as our friend’s phone, or that our computer doesn’t entertain us for a full eight hours, the time our precious families need in order to grow and be healthy. We become angry and dissatisfied when our toys are smaller than those in another’s play pen. Forgive us for not seeing the beauty you have given us, beauty in our family and friends and in your world. We live to want, rather than want to live . . . the life of simple satisfaction, resting in the love you have given us. May we see the beauty in WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE, rather than seek satisfaction in what we have not. What we do not have but want, never gives contentment . . . how could it? We have it not, and when we get it, we want it not. We only want the next larger size. We pray that your love for us will be enough to fill our lives with joy. How could pure love NOT be enough? Yet, it isn’t for most of us? Forgive us for not being thankful. Forgive us for not seeing beauty all around us, for not being aware of you, standing at the doorway to our heart, asking to come in. In the name of Jesus, your son, we pray. Amen”
Doris
Copyright 2008 Doris Gaines Rapp, Ph.D.