4. Spiritual blessing
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1
We couldn’t see any of the blessings counted here without a strong conviction in Who is in charge of our lives. Even this faith is a free gift from God (Ephesians 2:8). Life challenges are like well prepared gifts from the One Who loves us like no one else. Some customized gifts are made with love and it may take a while to prepare. If we know for sure a joyful surprise will come in the end, we might get antsy but in a good and excited way. If we know for sure a wonderful gift is promised, we are usually much more patient and playful in the waiting process instead of feeling frustrated or upset. The waiting only makes the gift even more special. When we receive the gift, we appreciate the time and thoughts our family or friends have invested just to give us a delight and feel loved.
I started this blessing-counting journal around the one year anniversary of our recent move (read how this journal started here ). Everything seems to take longer now with little ones around, but it is all good. It gives me time to savor God’s unchanging Grace as I face each new day along with its new challenges and blessings. I am grateful for the spiritual refreshment every time when I get to write. As I am writing, Christmas is around the corner. I can’t help thinking about the most Wonderful Gift in this life!
What matters is Who is the Giver! We lack nothing in the Lord! He has promised us eternal life with Him above and abundant life here as well. Keeping this promise in mind, I see life as a continuum of various processes to receive many gifts and blessings from “my Shepherd”, who withholds no good thing from who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11). I pray “Lord, give me faith to receive every day as a gift from you to know Who You are, to embrace interruptions as your gentle reminder of Who is in control. You are so faithful and so good even when I am faithless.” Is your soul yearning for something more in this life? Are you at a low point right now? Do you desire to receive this free gift despite your difficult circumstances? Or maybe you grow up from a religious background but your heart is heavy with your self-efforts and endless rules. Do you desire a fresh start spiritually? The Good News, the eternal Gospel, is worthy of all test of time, peoples and cultures. I pray that the Lord would bring You to Himself for the true Peace.
3rd Culture Living 