It is the month of November so every good blogger is to write a post on gratitude, right? Maybe that’s true but I am not writing this post because I should do it. I am writing this post because I wholeheartedly have come to believe everything is a gift from God. Truly. I did think so before but now I also know it in my heart.

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. (James 1:17 NLT)

You see, our family has now been living in Addis Ababa for 100 days or so. We have loved our time here don’t get me wrong. But I’ve learned certain things like electricity, and running water is not to be taken for granted here. We have become more grateful because we have started to see everything as gifts from God.

So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God. (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13, NLT)

Everything is…

If you have clothes on your back, you are blessed. And if you have something to eat, praise God. If you are healthy, count yourself truly blessed. And if you have enough running water to have a shower, you are rich indeed. Yet, these are small things to be grateful for. Just think of God’s love, grace, and power in your life and you start realizing how big gifts you receive daily free of charge.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. (Eph.2:8, NLT)

As children of God, we are blessed indeed. But we should not take our blessings for granted. Not just because it reveals some unappealing characteristics but because learning to see everything as a gift from God heightens our awareness of God in our lives. And that is priceless.

Who among the gods
    is like you, Lord?
Who is like you—
    majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory,
    working wonders?
(Exodus 15:11, NIV)

…a gift from God

When we truly start to understand everything is a gift from God, we start to see life as a miracle. And that leads us to see God as the miracle worker he truly is. Hence our prayers become bolder and our faith gets stronger. So, you see, you do not want to take anything for granted because that stales your faith.

Instead, cultivate wonder in your life. Be thankful for anything and everything. Invite God to do his miracles in your life. And you will be amazed at how wonderful God is and then you can’t understand how you didn’t see everything as a gift from God before. It’s like life would get colors and new brightness; it’s like your faith would get depth and new strength. Do not miss them. Give thanks for everything and praise God from dawn to dusk.

Dear Heavenly Father,
You are so good to us.
Forgive us for taking anything for granted.
Everything is a gift from you.
Thank you for anything and everything.
You are our provider, our loving and gracious God.
We thank you and we praised you.
Show us your glory, power, and will for our lives.
In Jesus’ precious name,
Amen

P.S.

Gratefulness is a gateway into God’s presence. Use it every day of your life and your faith will soar to new heights. Living with an awareness of God’s goodness, power, and grace is priceless, my friend. And all that is freely given to you. Receive them with gladness and give thanks. God is more than worth it. Be blessed, my friend, and keep praising God from dawn to dusk!