Category: Gratefulness

The Fullness of His Grace

Close-up of a crepe myrtle tree in our backyard. :-)
Close-up of a crepe myrtle tree in our backyard.

Why does God bless us so richly? This was the question I was asking myself as I drove home from the supermarket a short time ago. The past few days, God has been pouring out one blessing on me after another, and I am so grateful.

Yesterday, I received a letter in the mail informing me that I had been approved for a month of temporary disability. This was a process that I had been going through and praying about for the past several months. To be truthful, I really wasn’t sure if I was going to get approved. Finances have been very tight, and I have to admit, I was doubtful that God would provide. But He did, out of the fullness of His grace.

A second blessing entailed my having a conversation with our car insurance agent, which led to a discount in our rate of about one thousand dollars for the year. I was so thankful for God’s provision!

Then today, I went to the supermarket armed with two fifteen dollar gift cards from my Mom and several coupons. I wasn’t even keeping track of how much I was spending–I just grabbed what I needed and tried to be mindful of using the store discounts and the coupons that I had acquired. When I got up to the register and checked out, my bill–for everything that I had needed–came to under thirty dollars. So I was able to use the gift cards and still have a little left over!

I know these may seem like small things, but for me, I see God’s hand in these events. So often I focus on the negative circumstances or the difficult situations that I face–but today all I could do was praise God for His goodness.

Thank You, my loving heavenly Father!!!

From the fullness of his grace

we have all received

one blessing after another.

~John 1:16 (NIV)

Hidden Blessings

Daisy after a good long walk. :-)
Daisy after a good, long walk. 🙂

My puppy, Daisy, has gotten me started on a new routine lately: taking her outside for (almost) daily walks around our neighborhood. At first this was a chore for me. I don’t exercise much, and trying to keep up with her would make me tired. Also, I felt a little scared to be walking around without someone to walk with me. Another deterrent was that my feet would hurt when we got home! But I’m starting to see that favorable things are resulting from it.

I wouldn’t say that I look forward to our walks each day, but I am definitely becoming more accustomed to them. I enjoy the fresh air, the sights and the sounds, and the movement of my body as I walk down the street. And Daisy certainly enjoys the opportunity to get out of the house, pull me along with the leash, and sniff all of the smells that she can reach! 🙂

God allows things for a reason. Although at first I was annoyed by the prospect of walking Daisy regularly (she normally would just run around in our backyard), I’m learning to adjust to–and even appreciate–the opportunity to get outside and spend some time with my puppy, and ultimately with my Lord.

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11 (TLB)