Today is my
husband Kenya’s 40th Birthday and I’m thankful God has blessed him
to see another year.
In honor of that, I want to share an inspiration I’ve shared before about him and how we met, and what lessons you can draw from our experience.
Back when we fell in love, Kenya was a young twenty-something senior in college, living with his mom, working at Family Dollar. He didn't have a car back then. So he would pick me up for dates in his late mother's rust bucket. I remember it was so raggedy, that there was a padlock on the hood of the car just to keep it from blowing up while coasting along the expressway!
We still laugh about that. I even remember how Kenya, my sweet boyfriend, used to buy me sweatshirts from Family Dollar as gifts. Bless his heart.
I wasn't worried about what was in Kenya's pockets, though. I was more interested in his relationship with God and his character. I took notice of how he didn't pressure me to have sex before marriage and I was a virgin the day we exchanged our vows.
Had I not been focused on what was important, however, I would have passed on what turned out to be one of the greatest blessings God has ever given me. You see, there were plenty of other guys with fancy cars, more money and flashier clothes. But they didn't possess the qualities I prayed to find in the man who would one day become my husband, and the father of my children.
Nearly 15 years of married life and 4 children later, I have no doubt in my mind, God tailor-made Kenya for me and me for him.
That's why I encourage you to focus on the things in life that matter... in your relationships and every other area too.
Instead of worrying about the kind of car you drive, focus on the fact that God has blessed you with a reliable vehicle to get you where you need to go.
Don't obsess about the size of your house or apartment, or the decor inside, but be grateful that you have a roof over your head, unlike millions of homeless people.
Don't waste time thinking about how much you can't stand your job, but praise God that you are gainfully employed as a means of supporting yourself.
Don't complain about the hardships of entrepreneurship. Rather, thank God for the courage, knowledge, and ability you do possess to run your own business, large or small, profitable or unprofitable in this season.
Instead of looking at all the things the people you love are not, praise God for all they are to you.
You and I have so many reasons to be thankful!
These days, Kenya isn't working at Family Dollar or struggling to graduate from college. He earned his degree and God has blessed his career.
Kenya is, however, still the man that lights up my world; treats me with love, honor and respect; takes great care of our children; loves and serves the Lord; and has a heart of gold.
And that, my friend, is most important of all.
To help you stay focused on all your many blessings, great and small, I’m stirring a simple reminder to give thanks into your cup of inspiration. It’s found in Psalm 136:1 NASB that says, “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.”
When you drink down the contents of your cup, you’ll be reminded to glorify God, not only for the things you treasure like life, love, health, peace and a sound mind. But you’ll also remember to be grateful for the goodness of the Lord and His unending lovingkindness that has kept you through both good times and bad; sweet times and bitter; high times and low times.
Without the goodness of God, your hard days, difficult nights and troubled seasons would have been, and still would be, unbearable.
Amen?
So be thankful for what you do have today, because as long as you have Jesus, that's more than enough!
As 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV reminds us to do: “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”
God, help me not to become so distracted by insignificant things, that I miss out on all the many treasures You have blessed me with in my life. Today, I want to thank You for health, life, love, peace, joy, a sound mind and a bright future ahead of me. But above all, thank You for Your goodness, lovingkindness, and mercy toward me. Even when everything is not exactly the way I want it to be, your tender mercies and love sustain me through it all. In Jesus' name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
If you need prayer, don't hesitate to request it. I would be honored to stand in faith with You. I know that prayer works. CLICK HERE to learn how to submit your prayer request.
