Evergreen

All week long, the words ‘gratitude’ and ‘grateful’ have been replaying in my mind. The Holy Spirit has drawn my attention to looking back at the ten months that have passed, and the things that God has done for me throughout the year. Not everything has gone as I would like, but I took a minute today to count my blessings, and they are indeed numerous.

Yesterday, as I was taking a stroll in the neighborhood I saw a couple of trees that looked like they had only lost a few leaves. They were beautifully green; a stark contrast to their not so far away siblings that were down to their branches. I smiled, took a few steps back just to admire them, and then continued my walk.

Fall is upon us, and what we expect to ordinarily happen is for the trees to lose their leaves. Again the Holy Spirit said to me, we usually allow our environment to dictate our actions and feelings. More often than not, the condition of our heart is influenced by what we do or do not get from God. I smiled again because I knew He was just reinforcing the words He had dropped in my spirit - ‘gratitude’ and ‘grateful’.

As the spirit continued ministering  to me, He reminded me to be like the tree I saw, ever-green. He said, "Be ever-praising, ever-thankful, ever-joyful, ever-grateful - no matter what is going on." After all, God is bigger than anything or anyone  around you.

I know we are are heading towards the end of the year and we keep hearing that God will do what we have asked of Him before the year ends. Yes He will, but how about we use the few weeks left before the year ends to be grateful, and thank Him for each and every thing that He has done for us in the months that have passed? Believe me, when you count your blessings, you may even forget about the prayers that have not been answered yet.

God loves a grateful heart. Praise and thank Him for all that He has and continues do for you, and watch Him do even more to the glory of His name.

Love,

Alice