As I write this, I read a forecast of snow in eight days. Yikes! Are we ready? Yet … God’s blessings can come even with the white stuff.
Eternal Perspectives by Sally Bair
Blizzards and Blessings
Every autumn I’m enthralled as I watch a blizzard of aspen leaves outside my window. Their bright yellow leaves fly by in the strong wind and then pile high on the ground like liquid gold. They remind us northerners that soon such blizzards will be white. In spite of the driving dangers ahead, we can’t help but see the beauty in such events brought on by the winds. And we are blessed with the snow coverings that insulate the land, kill warm-air germs, cover seeds, and replenish moisture for future growth.
Whether God covers the earth with snow or autumn leaves, His blizzards of blessing are meant to show us His favor and approval. The Word of God contains dozens of examples of his blessing. When God had Moses teach the Israelites His law, He included a long list of blessings if they obeyed Him, such as good weather, good crops, and safety from enemies.
The list of blessings is followed by a corresponding list of curses for disobedience, from which the people suffered repeatedly. They forgot to be grateful for God’s blessings and turned away from Him. But God in His merciful patience kept wooing them back, blessing them whenever they repented.
The New Testament also tells of people who received God’s favor, starting with Jesus. “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mark 11:9) His followers shouted those words as Jesus rode into town on a humble donkey. Mary, Jesus’ mother, also was called blessed, as were those who believed in Him after His ascension. “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)
The Bible’s famous Beatitudes in Matthew, chapter 5, list several ways we receive God’s blizzards of blessing. We’re favored when we have a humble spirit and are meek, when we hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness and are merciful to others, when we cause peace rather than discord, and when we are willing to be persecuted for His sake.
God’s blessings come in many forms. He favors us with incredible peace of mind and joy, His wisdom and strength when needed, and the gift of salvation. A popular discipline is to keep a gratitude list. As we form the daily habit of meditating on His gifts and thanking Him for them, we find our lives becoming richer and freer from negative thoughts. Gratitude brings
good physical, emotional, and spiritual health, which is a blessing indeed.
Thank You, Lord, for your unending blessings that fall on us like a blizzard of golden leaves. Cause us to always remember to thank You and to pass on Your blessings to others. In Jesus’ name, amen.
I will be selling my books at a craft fair to be held at North Pines Golf Course, Airport Rd, Iron River, Wisconsin, on Saturday, November 11 from 9:00am-3:00pm.
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