The smell of pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and the crisp cool air signifies the sign of Fall has arrived. In California, the crip air may be hard to find these days with all the wildfires and its effects filling the air making it difficult to take in a deep breath but the vibrant colors of orange, yellow, green, and crimson seen in the foliage confirms that Fall is here. Along with seasonal change, October brings plenty of blessings and gifts that are often hidden like a precious gem until we are made aware of its existence.
This first week of October brings gifts of Thanksgiving. In the digital age, we can only associate gifts and delivery with the online giant, Amazon. To the surprise of most, gift-giving is an old ancient tradition that dates back to the birth of Christ and the 3 Wisemen coming to visit the baby Jesus bearing gifts. Why did they come bearing gifts? It was a sign of gratitude and thanksgiving to the birth of a King. Though at that time, the world was full of turmoil and suffering, a sense of hope and peace was felt. Unlike the gifts we buy online, which can only make us happy for a brief time, the gifts that are freely given to us by the Lord will last an eternity. When the gifts are given with great love, giving thanks should be second nature. Our world today may be filled with confusion, fear, and anxiety but we must not let that get in our way of giving thanks to what is beautiful, pure, miraculous, and supernatural, or else the gifts will be wasted. If we keep our thoughts on what is good and beautiful, our sense of hope and peace will be restored.
Are you in need of restoring peace and hope in your life? Give daily gratitude a try to reset your mind and shift your perspective? Write down 3 things that you are grateful for. It can be as simple as being grateful for having food in your fridge. The more you practice, it will become second nature and help change the narrative in your life of how you tell your life story to yourself and others.
God’s C.P.R.
(count blessings, pinpoint trials, review the day)
Brothers and sisters:
Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters,
whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious,
if there is any excellence
and if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things.
Keep on doing what you have learned and received
and heard and seen in me.
Then the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:6-9