How Do We See the Good When Bad is All Around
by Allison Terrell
Flickr.com_12843479603_eca6db04cd_z.jpg_cc by-ND2.0
“I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord.” Psalm 116:17
Thankfulness awakens us to God’s presence. My heart knows this full well and hearkens my spirit at sunrise. Summer night’s heat still lingers so I tip toe outside – coffee in hand – breathing in the new day.
The day before proved challenging. Problems popped up like weeds in the lawn and I nearly lost my footing. I’m ready for a new day – one better than the last. So I take another deep breath and a sip of hot coffee and trace the warmth all the way down. Then I open my eyes – Thin clouds hide the rising sun but daylight reveals God’s beauty and provision everywhere – and start counting to ten:
- A new day
- Waking up next to my husband
- Morning’s first coffee
- Pink roses
- Yesterdays wet fun draped over the clothes line
In this moment my heart remembers that goodness abounds – even in the middle of a challenges. And I can’t stop counting, can’t stop noticing all God’s goodness around me.
6. Ripening raspberries
7. Bluing blueberries
8. Cooling breezes
9. Summer thunderstorms
10. Silence
When we take a deep breath and start counting our blessings – big and small – our hearts resound with praise to the Giver of all good things. We realize how high and deep, how long and wide is His great love for us; how He takes care of tiniest details of our lives. When we do this – take time to count, to reflect, to remember – our faith grows.
These small recollections build our faith so that when those times of insurmountable problems arise we can present them to God with confidence that He will see us through – the One who makes all things work for good for those who love Him and call Him by name.
It’s a new day – a new week. We all face challenges, even our children. When we practice counting our blessings (personally and as a family) our perspective changes. Are you or your children facing any challenges–maybe an insurmountable situation that’s out of your control? Take a deep breath and start counting to ten, together. Ready?
Smelling the roses with you today,