Thought for the Day – Saturday 13th June
‘Today is a time to be grateful
for all God has done in our lives….
And a time to remember not to
take anything for granted, not a single gift, or any person, or even one moment
in time, for when God gives it, it is precious.’ ©Russ Berrie and Company, inc.
I have been browsing through my collection of all the little ‘purse’ or
‘wallet’ cards that people have given me over the years. I am sure you will
have some too – those little cards bearing a scripture text or poem or words of
encouragement which someone has given to you at a time of distress or at a
crossroads in your life or just to let you know you are in their thoughts and
prayers.
Amazingly although not each of those cards bears a written sentiment or
a name to remind me of who gave it to me I can still remember the moment in my
life when I received each one, who I received it from and how it made me feel
to know they were journeying with me through that particular time in my life.
The one I have quoted above came to me from a friend when I was feeling
particularly low and finding some days a real struggle as I tried to juggle
lots of things in my life and particularly resolutely trying to maintain visits
to my mum even though she was unable to communicate with me and, of course, it
was a time of questioning where God was in all of this and why it was all
happening.
I remember opening the envelope and receiving the card and standing in
the family room and reading it over and over to myself and then there came a
point when I just seemed to go into a totally different mind-set, I suppose a
point of acceptance that I could not change anything of the circumstances I
found myself in but rather if I embraced each moment as precious and God sent
and was thankful that, for example, even though my mum could not speak to me on
these visits she was still there with me, still present, still a wonderful gift
from God to her family and there were still precious moments for us to have together.
What a difference that little card made to my life at that time!
So often we think we are doing something very simple by say sending
someone a little card like the one I have quoted above but truly we can never
know the impact that little simple action can have on people’s lives.
I think in this time when perhaps we are all struggling a little in
‘Lockdown’ it is good to hear the words of that little card today - let them
speak to you in this moment and remind you to give thanks to God for all he has
done in your life - perhaps these words may give you a different perspective on
life at this time and lift your spirits.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord,
all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with
singing. Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with
thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his
name. For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his
faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 100)
Prayer
Loving God, In this time of uncertainty may we never forget to give
thanks to you for all you do in our lives. May we remember your constant
presence, your enduring faithfulness, your love which lasts forever and that
every precious moment of life is given by you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
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