Can I tell you something crazy?
I’m not a fan of summer. (Sorry, Olaf.)
Oh, I love the change in our routine. I enjoy the slower pace, the grilling out, the extra time for hanging with family and friends.
But I don’t like the heat. At all. I hate getting sweaty. I dislike slathering up with sunscreen. I nearly cringe at coating everyone with bugspray. If it weren’t for my kids, I’d probably stay indoors most of the summer. In fact, I even have difficulty enjoying our beautiful Southern springtime because I’m dreading the onset of summer.
Crazy, I know.
My oldest made a comment recently which stopped me in my tracks, causing me to take a long look at how I’m spending my mental, emotional, and even spiritual energy. She said that, while she doesn’t like being hot, she loves the feeling of stepping out of the heat into a cold house.
Such a little, everyday thing. But she celebrates it as a built-in happy spot in the middle of her hot, summer day.
I wonder…how many of God’s gifts are hiding in my everyday?
When days are hard, when difficult seasons are long – are there grace-filled blessings in the middle of the struggle which I walk right past because I’m focused on what I wish wasn’t’ there?
Like gems hiding in plain sight, God’s kindness is all around us (Psalm 31:19).
“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
This short little verse implies that, in every situation, gifts from God are present for which we can be thankful.
Always.
We’ll never face a moment where His grace is absent.
In every situation He’s working for our good (Romans 8:28).
Woven through each day are tokens of His affection and reminders of His kindness – even when life is at its worst. We don’t readily see these things, but if we ask, He’ll show us how He’s surrounding us with His love.
What are you facing today that’s uncomfortable? Maybe your struggle is more than uncomfortable. Maybe it’s downright gut-wrenching. Will you join me in asking God to open our eyes to His gifts in the middle of it all?
May He show us where He’s working and teach our hearts to celebrate His good gifts– even when it’s crazy hot outside.
How do you take note of God’s goodness? Comment below to join the conversation!
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