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1. It is easy to think big but thank little when you have excess.
We are big thinkers. We love comfort. These lead us to be continually thinking about what can bring us more comfort. Once we get that house/partner/car/outfit that we knew would bring us comfort, we are dissappointed when the comfort is temporary and are left to think bigger. What bigger thing will bring me longer comfort? A bigger house/ a better partner/ a flashier car/ a bigger wardrobe. The cycle continues. It seems that the bigger we think, the lesser we thank. Entitlement is a very dangerous thing. Why should I be thankful for something that is my RIGHT? I earned this. I worked very hard for very long to become a _____________ and to make ___________, so now I naturally get ___________ and ______________ and _____________.
2. Weariness causes longing for something greater.
I love the the line from "O Holy Night," "A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices." Isreal was surely familiar with wearniess. For hundreds of silent years it had waited for God. Can you imagine? But the line doesn't say "A thrill of hope weary Israel rejoices," but rather the "world rejoices." Hmmmmm..... I love that God has created us so much in His image that all man, not just the ones who believe in Him, ache for something that only He can give. How beautiful a line. A thrill of hope contrasted with weariness. Although the weariness is always present in this world, it is much more difficult to feel it when you are comfortable, fat, and rich.
3. The worst of circumstances often give birth to the best of character.
I instantly think of John Walkup, the dear father to my husband. He grew up during the Great Depression. I know he had more character as a result. He saw the value of work,and worked very hard. He also was content with very little, and thankful for everything. I can't help but think of all the character produced in the children of the Great Depression, who would be fighting for our freedom a decade later in World War II. Would that War have been different if it weren't for that Great Depression? 
4. It gives more opportunities for blessing.
With it being the peak of the Christmas season, I have heard this a lot- "I just don't know what to give______________, he/she has everything and we just don't have much money this year for presents." We have gotten so used to having this standard of giving store-bought gifts for everyone. It is kind of sad to see this routine of buying gift cards or candles for someone and then they give you gift cards or candles. It is the great exchange. But what if we just stopped? What if we listened to each other saying "we really don't have much money" and blessed each other in other ways? I can't help but think of what Christ brought us, what would He say if He was at your house on Christmas morning? I am not saying that gifts are from the devil, I just think we need to be smart. The idea of a Christmas gift is to let someone know you love them and to bless them. How can we do that best?
5. All people appreciate greatness, and I think the Recession makes people not only look for greatness- but appreciate it more when they see it.
I love this clip. The singing is beautiful, but that is not my favorite part. What I love the most is that it takes place in such an ordinary, familiar setting. Out of this food court while people eat their routine Chick-fil-A lunch, comes greatness and beauty. People are suprised and delighted. I am sure that many of them do not even know what the song means, but they can't escape its glorious beauty. It makes me think of the King of Kings being born in such an ordinary setting, but the beauty that was there that caused shepherds and wise men to worship and a powerful King to fear. It makes me think of the day He will return and all people will be in awe of His glory, beauty, and power. It is captivating.
My computer is having an issue embedding it on this post....so check it out on the previous post. You won't regret it!
This past week was the first week that I have lived by myself. Clay got invited to go on an amazing cruise for the week with a good friend, so I dropped him off at the air port early Monday morning and won't pick him up until late Monday night.
The first two nights the Munn family was kind enough to let me stay with them. I was busy studying for my last final exam, so Clay being gone did not really sink in until I was walking out of class from my exam. My instinct was to grab my cell phone and call him to tell him that it was over and how I thought I did. It felt so strange not telling anyone about it. Sure, I could have called a friend or something, but that wasn't the same. No one else knew how hard that class was, no one else had gone to it it with me for my birthday, no one else would have been as excited and eager to celebrate with me as Clay.
Wednesday night was my first night at home alone. I went to work that day and then drove home. It was strange just going about my day without being in conversation with Clay. What if I just didn't go home? No one would know. Well, Trooper would know....but that isn't the same. I thought that maybe the freedom to go wherever and do whatever might be invigorating, but it was the opposite. It was paralyzing.
Then I realized that I have never really been alone.I started dating Clay while I was in high school. I went from being at my parent's house- to a dorm -and to being married. I was used to always having people around, and now that I was by myself it was as if I was no longer myself.
And then the Spirit began to start stirring within me, as He often does when I am alone with my thoughts. "You have gotten too dependent on comfort from being known by others Rhoda- don't you want to be known by your Father?" How true.
I had been wrong earlier this week. Clay was not the only person who knew how hard my class was, or had been in the class with me, or was excited and eager to celebrate all my hard work. Jesus was there all along. I just didn't notice him because I was too busy being around people all the time. And I didn't hear His Spirit because I wasn't quiet or still long enough. "Be Still, and Know that I am God" should also say to me "Be Still and turn off the TV and the cell phone and the computer and the car, and know that I am God by talking with me, reading my words, worshipping me..." Everytime I have felt a little lonely or the urge to call Clay this week, I have tried to talk God instead. What a humbling week this has been. What a beautiful week this has been.
I am thankful God has given me a large family and a home that was always busy. I am thankful God gave Clay and I each other to grow up together, and for having things like Facebook to stay connected with family and friends who are far away. But as thankful as I am for all of these things, I have to ask myself if I have I turned these gifts from God into idols keeping me from Him?
Yep. I sure have.
What a gracious God I have who gently whispers to my anxious heart in the silence, when all these years I have turned His gifts into idols and not given Him my firstfruits. How is it that He pursues the unfaithful? Oh, to know and to be known by the Creator, lover, and redeemer of my soul!
