Perspective on Abundance

"It is impossible for the seeds of depression to take root in a grateful heart." (from the Traveler's Gift by Andy Andrews)

The topic of thankfulness (eucharisteo) has had my awareness heightened ever since reading this book (click on the link in this sentence) by one of my favorite writers, Ann Voskamp. We always take time at meals to thank God for our blessings that day, but to do that in more moments of the day, not just at meal time, is what can really start to make a difference. This can bring about so many changes in a lifestyle, just by being thankful at every intersecting moment of life - it's all about perspective.

"My God has bestowed upon me many gifts, and for these I will remember to be grateful. Too many times I have offered up the prayers of a beggar, always asking for more and forgetting to give thanks. I do not wish to be seen as a greedy child, unappreciative and disrespectful. I am grateful for sight, sound and breath. If ever in my life there is a pouring out of blessing beyond that, then I will be grateful for the MIRACLE of ABUNDANCE." (from the Traveler's Gift by Andy Andrews)

When you simplify your life in such a manner - that everything beyond waking up with sight and hearing and breath (which truly is miracle #1, that God keeps everything functioning for you to wake up one more day) - when it is a simple as that, then it is easy to be thankful for the abundance with which God showers us every day.  

Many times  a week I think on these two words, Grace and Mercy. And for me, these are the definitions I repeat to remember which is which (notice the one word change that makes all the difference):

Grace - God gives us what we don't deserve (because we truly are wretched, not a one of us is good) - 

Psalm 14:¹ The fool^[a] says in his heart,
   “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
   there is no one who does good.

 ² The LORD looks down from heaven
   on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,
   any who seek God.
³ All have turned away, all have become corrupt;
   there is no one who does good,
   not even one.

Mercy - God does not give us what we do deserve (which is punishment for our sins)


So God's grace rains down anew each morning when he wakes us up. To have a job to go to, to have a family to love and them to love you, to have food for breakfast, a hot shower to clean you, a car to drive, roads to drive on, etc. The list could go on and on, and when we face our moments with thankful hearts for what we've been bestowed, our perspective can change if you choose to remember to be grateful. But it is a choice only you can make for yourself, and it is one choice you will have to make anew over and over and over, each day, each hour. 

Thankfulness grows gratitude. Gratitude lays the path for humility. Humility puts God back on top where he belongs. With God leading you, what is there to be depressed about?  Choose to remember what he has done for you so far in your journey on this earth. Choose to be happy.  Even if your journey has not turned out how you planned/expected/wanted it to; start to partner with God on your journey and your plans will start to line up, this is how joy takes root and depression is uprooted. Thankfulness in everything.

I delighted, today,  in the dirty work of building a home for a family on the receiving end of God's grace,  and I am completely excited for this family to come to understand the gift-wrapped package of grace they are going to be hiding out in, each and every day after it is completed. The abundance of miracles in this one house, just for them - the space they need inside and out, the master craftsmen who are building with superior knowledge and love just for them, volunteering their time - a house that fits like a glove because God is carving it out day by day.

And it is so exciting because I know, firsthand, that our house is an awesome reminder of God's miracles every day.  It is our place to choose happiness, our place to choose thankfulness, our place to choose to praise him for his abundance, our place to place him back at the top, our place to live with a grateful spirit.

This is our choice, in our home, which is his and which is his abundance lavishly bestowed on us.