Blessings to Remember: 5 Gifts that Last

A walk down Main Street in the historic shopping district of St. Charles, Missouri in the middle of fall is a blessing to remember. The sidewalks and storefronts overflow with leaves and pumpkins and reminders to give thanks. As I strolled in and out of the shops a few weeks ago, the cheer and gratitude I saw on the faces and in the scenery prompted me to take a few pictures.

Surely, it looks very different by now as we inch closer to December. Greenery and berries will decorate the street lamps, dancing lights will adorn store windows, shoppers will need to bundle up, and the air will smell more like Christmas. After we get couple of months into the new year, then everything will start to look like spring.

Here’s what I love about Main Street: even though the seasons and decorations change, the warm and welcoming spirit found there remains the same. In this way, God sort of resembles Main Street, don’t you think?

Changing seasons and circumstances redecorate our lives, but God’s love for us continues uninterrupted.

During this holiday week of Thanksgiving, I typically spend time thinking about the blessings in life I am thankful for. My focus tends to gravitate toward the immediate, more tangible gifts like home, family, friends, security, opportunity, and health. Although these things are certainly wonderful and I want them in my life, they are earthly blessings–they can change or fade away. 

So, this year I am giving some additional thought to the intangible, lasting gifts from God’s love–blessings that far outweigh any earthly treasures.

I am thankful for God’s gifts that last forever:

I am thankful God forgives me

He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. Psalm 103:12 NLT

We don’t need to keep dwelling on our past mistakes and wondering if God forgives us. Once we ask for forgiveness and turn away from sin, God removes it. He tosses it far away from us, and he does not even remember it in our lives. With a clean slate, God helps us focus on changing our lives to love him and others.

I am thankful God stays with me

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

God never abandons us. When we face trouble, he is right beside us and fights for us. If we feel afraid, he reminds us he is in control, all-powerful, and works for our good. At times when hope seems lost, he strengthens us through his Word and the signs of his love around us. If we keep bringing our attention back to him and trust what he is doing, HE will be our peace in this journey.

I am thankful God teaches me

For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6 NIV

Every day the world claims to know what is best for us. It makes us feel like we will never be enough, have enough, or know enough. It pushes us to make quick decisions without much soul-searching.

God’s Word teaches something different–quite the opposite actually. But, gaining the gift of God’s wisdom does not come easily. God’s classroom requires courage, wonder, and a lot of perseverance. He insists we pay attention, make connections, and search for him in hard decisions. God helps us discover true wisdom comes from him, not the world.

I am thankful God lives in me

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. Ephesians 3:17-19 NLT

Scripture says when we believe Jesus sacrificed himself to save us, he frees us from our sin and death. As we learn to trust him and grow in faith, he will strengthen our belief. Jesus softens our hearts so we see others the way he does, and he encourages us to spread his love in unique ways. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, he lives in us–filling us with what we need and lack. 

I am thankful God protects and saves me

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:28 NIV

Pain and suffering are a part of this life, but we can take comfort in knowing Christ protects us from eternal harm. Jesus prays for us while we are here on earth. He understands our worries and our fears. When we are hurting or lost, he works to draw us near. Jesus protects and defends us forever; ultimately, he gives us his greatest blessing of eternal life.

A Prayer for the Week:

Dear God,

As we gather around our Thanksgiving tables, it is likely some blessings look different from last year. Perhaps, the seat of someone we love is empty. Or, a new seat is filled. Someone is battling an illness or celebrating a healing.

We count the blessings we see–whether it be homes, security, family, opportunity, health…in all we seek your goodness working within. Thank you for the blessings of the past, and those we are still discovering. Like the seasons, we know these earthly gifts can change. We are grateful their beauty continues to be part of our lives even when they are gone. 

We also thank you for reminding us of your blessings that never change or leave us. These blessings are harder to recognize because they are not seen with our eyes, but rather with our hearts. Understanding them takes more time, but they have permanence. They are with us always. Thank you God, for these everlasting gifts of love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Press on in faith, my friends! ~Jamie

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV

More Scriptures about God’s Everlasting Love:

 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 NIV

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3 NIV

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 1 John 4:16 NIV

Related Posts:

Three Ways Gratitude Boosts Faith

Giving Thanks in All Circumstances

This is the Day the Lord Made

The Astounding Beauty of God’s Grace