Yesterday was my birthday and I had such a wonderful time hanging out at home with my husband and the kids. Well, after my "party" was over and we'd all eaten our homemade cake and some ice cream, it was time to check out the creative little birthday greetings the children put together for me. So, Kedar walked over to me grinning widely and handed me a card (the one pictured at the top of this post). I smiled as I looked at the little blue man on the front with "Happy Birhday" written on the card missing the letter "T"... priceless. When I took the card from him, it felt heavy, but I didn't know why.
When I opened it up, I saw that he had glued a small piece of paper inside and made a little pouch. In that small compartment, Kedar had placed some money for me. I didn't realize it at first, until I heard some change fall onto the floor: A nickel and a penny.
My baby gave me six cents for my birthday, but it felt like a million bucks. It wasn't much, but I genuinely appreciated it. I hugged Kedar so tightly and thanked him for my card he had labored over. He was so proud and it was just the sweetest thing.
But, I want you to imagine for a moment, if I had picked up the money off the floor and said, "All you could muster up is six cents?!" That would be unthinkable right? I don't know anyone who would think that kind of deplorable behavior was acceptable. Why then, do we behave that way with God? Why do we scoff at His provision and say, "Is this all you can give me God?"
We complain about the size of our paychecks, houses, cars and bank accounts; but we fail to realize that our ungratefulness is an insult to God. I often say, some folks would do anything to have what you're complaining about. That's why we all have to be careful not to be perpetual grumblers like the children of Israel were. Instead of seeing how God took care of them, all they focused on was the fact that they were sick and tired of being in the wilderness.
Sound familiar?
Eventually, all of their complaining made God so angry that He prevented those who were 20 years or older, that had murmured against Him, from entering into the promised land. (See Numbers 14:26-31)
It's so important that we develop an attitude of gratitude in our lives and learn to be thankful for the little things. Consider how much more joy and peace we would all have if we'd learn how to maintain a thankful heart everyday.
Today, I want you to begin praising God for what He's done in your life. Everything may not be perfect, but God has still been good to you and me. Let us not to take the goodness and grace of God for granted, because without the Lord on our side, where would we be?
I want to leave you with one of my favorite passages of scripture, as a reminder of the unending mercy and faithfulness of the Father toward you and me.
"Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, Therefore I hope in Him!” (Lamentations 3:22-24 NKJV).
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
