A Positive Perspective on Work

One day this week I was writing out a list of the basic jobs I needed to do that morning. My daughter saw it and said, “I feel so sorry for you having to do jobs all the time! Do you enjoy doing them?”

Then she went out the door to school—to go and do her own work!

I had to smile at her perspective. But it is relatable. Do you ever feel sorry for yourself for all you have to do? The never-ending housework, yard work, meals etc.

But what about a positive perspective?

Cleaning means a home to live in

Washing/laundry means a washing machine and clothes to wear

Dishes mean food to eat

Bedrooms to clean mean comfortable beds to sleep in and space of our own

Vacuuming means appliances that make life easier, and nice floors

Meals to make means a kitchen to enjoy working in, and food to eat

And if we have the health and energy to do these things, it is an extra thing to be thankful for!

And best of all, we have a God who is always listening, ready to give wisdom and help, who promises to provide and who is faithful to all His promises.

When God made Adam and Eve, He gave them work to do. And that was before the fall. Work is a blessing!

Dam Climbers

At the Cingino Dam in Italy, there is something unusual and incredible. There are dam climbers. These rock climbers are alpine ibex.

The reason they climb the dam is because their body craves salt. And the rocks on the top of the dam are rich in salt. So, the ibex rock climbs the dam to lick the rocks. Although it is very dangerous to climb the dam, their need for salt outweighs the danger. 

This reminds me of what Habakkuk said. "The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places."(Habakkuk v3:19)

The Cingino Dam looks impossible to climb. And things in our life can also seem impossible to handle. They can seem too steep. Too much to handle. Too hard. Impossible. 

Maybe it's a fiery trial. Or maybe it's responsibilities or a job that God gives us to do. Maybe just surviving each day seems too hard.

But when God is who we rely on for help, we can do amazing things. When God is our strength, He will enable us to walk on high places. He will enable us to go through the deep waters and come out better for it. He will give us the strength to obey Him and follow His leading.

The ibex need that salt for their bodies to function properly. The only way for them to get it is by climbing up. Just like they have a need for salt, we have a need for God. We need God to function the way we were intended. God is the only One who can truly satisfy the human heart.

Trials and the other things that seem too hard for us are what can push us up closer to God. Because without God's help, they're too steep. But when we know something is too hard for us and we depend on God for help, He can enable us just like He enables those ibex. Then all the credit is His. And then those trials and responsibities become blessings.

When a mother ibex climbs the dam, her kid will follow because they have a very strong bond. If your child follows your example, where will they go? Will they be led to the One who can satisfy their deepest cravings?

 

A Parcel from the Courier

This week I realized that Lydia needed some new clothes. It's getting warmer and I realized she only has one t-shirt. But as she has also been sick this week, I couldn't go shopping. So, I ordered her some clothes online.

Today a courier delivered a package to our door. It was some of the new clothes for Lydia. She tried a t-shirt and a pair of shorts on and wore them for the rest of the day. When I was getting her ready for bed tonight, we were looking at her outfit aswell as the other new pair of shorts.

"Thank you, Mum," I said to her. Then I thought, I wonder if she actually realizes that I brought these for her. To her it probably just looked like they came from the courier. Not from me.

Then I thought, I wonder how often I don't think to thank God for a blessing because I don't think of it as coming from God. I just thank the person who delivered it.

God is my Heavenly Father (and Mother). The blessings, gifts and encouragement that come to us through people are really gifts from God. While we need to thank the "delivery person" we most of all need to thank God because that's who they're really from.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.--James 1:17

God gives us what we need through "delivery people" or circumstances. Both the happy things but also the painful things. The painful and hard things are the gifts wrapped in black wrapping paper. Blessings in disguise. We can also thank God for those hard blessings too. Because of the gift that is underneath. The gift of Himself.

And may it be our daily desire and prayer that we would be used by God to deliver His blessings to others. What a great joy to be used by God to give God's children what they need. When we stay in touch with Him throughout the day, He'll give us blessings to deliver. Encouragement, prayers, love, a hug, a listening ear, a meal, a message, a gift or some practical help. The list goes on. And may we always keep in mind that we are just the courier delivering God's good gifts. 

Take my lips and let them be

Filled with messages from thee.

~Frances Ridley Havergal~

My Cup Overflows

 If the Lord is your personal Shepherd, then you can say, "My cup overflows with blessings." You can say this because even your trials are turned into blessings when they're in God's hands. He has promised to work them together for good. That means they're blessings in disguise!

You can say this because the Lord is taking care of you, leading you, giving you strength and rest, comforting you, and so on. If the Lord is your Shepherd, your cup runs over with blessing!

Is this your mindset?