Thursday, April 22, 2010

Scrapbook Thankfulness!

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope'" (Jeremiah 29:11)

Is it just me, beloved, or does it seem to you as well that often God's sweetest blessings come to us in the most special and unique ways? Let me cite an example of what I mean. Recently my sister brought by some photos from the past - my past - as it turns out, scenes from days gone by in which I found myself in the presence of various family members or pastoral ministry situations. I think that my favorites were those that showed me with my mom and dad since they have both been with the Lord for some years. As I gazed fondly with reminiscence at those precious memories, it was as if a virtual "scrapbook of thankfulness" had been opened before my eyes.

At the bottom of that stack of photos lay one last picture, a shot taken of me in grade school. I almost did not recognize that young boy, primarily because he had a full head of hair! The photo had not been dated and labeled in Mom's special way, though it was obvious that it too had come from her own collection. As I sat there looking back through time by staring into that boyish face, I realized that he at that early stage in his life had no idea of the blessings which God would unfold before him. He could not possibly have yet fully appreciated the blessing of godly parents with whom God had already so bountifully adorned his life, a mom and a dad who would as a powerful spiritual team raise him and his sisters in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Nor could he possibly have yet imagined the blessing of a beautiful and godly wife whom God would one day send his way. He could not have known of the three wonderful children and nine absolutely gorgeous grandchildren that would fill his adult years with joy and happiness. And none of that is to mention two fine sons-in-law and a beautiful daughter-in-law who would light up his life. No, that little man had no way of knowing any of that!

As I stared at those photos with such fondness, the words of Scripture in a promise which God made to His chosen people came clearly to mind:

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord"

So a little boy in grade school even then had his life firmly held in the loving hands of his heavenly Father. And the man whom that little guy became can today look back in thankfulness for the working of God's limitless grace in his life. God is so good!

That God has a divine plan for each of us is one of the most clearly taught principles in all of Scripture. That He has a life of service laid out for us is one of His greatest gifts to us. As someone has wisely observed, what we do with such opportunities will determine the extent of our gift to God. Only as we choose to walk in the works He has beforehand ordained (Ephesians 2:10) will we know the fulfillment and richness that life is meant to be for us, that "abundant" life that we are promised in Jesus Christ.

How about your own life, beloved? Any "scrapbook thankfulness" that you would like to express to the Father? Memories are such a wonderful gift from God! Just to know that He has held us in His hands through it all (whatever "all" involves!) is a glorious blessing. Thank you, Father, for those "scrapbooks" of thankfulness that we can offer to you for your goodness to us!

Ron