Every day is a gift

Many who have ever been in my office, have seen my little screen saver go around and around on my monitor and it reads, “EVERY DAY IS A GIFT”. Although some may consider this just a cliché, I have kept it there for many years – just to remind me. We take so many things for granted, that a little nudge once in a while is helpful.

One nudge that came many years ago was from Oprah and her gratitude journal. I can’t say that I have written in it every day but I do have quite a significant list of items there for which I have been and continue to be grateful. As I read over parts of my list, some make me chuckle,“ comfy shoes.” or “good hair days”. Others are serious and they fill me with awe and tears, “a good report from the doctor”or “a peaceful death for a friend.” Then there are the ones that are just mysteries, “the myriad shades of yellow” or “the depth of my mom’s wisdom.” Still others bring back wonderful memories, “camping at Quetico,” or “turning 60.”

Who could ever exhaust all the beauties and blessings that our great God has bestowed on us?

And then I think of our brothers and sisters who do not have the luxury of comfortable shoes or of turning 60. Watching the news one evening, I saw an elderly refugee woman thank God for her son who, instead of leaving her alone, carried her across a river to safe haven for refugees. Another person was grateful that he was able to get out of Myanmar with his wife and children – and nothing else.

What a contrast of existence we experience on this Earth that we all call home. And what a contrast in the blessings for which we are grateful!

Reasons to be grateful, like many things, are relative. And always, we can see God’s Providential hand in those reasons. When I look at my screen saver, it makes me grateful again and again that I have people in my life and possibilities at hand to help me to see that God is still busy creating and holding us all in love and reverence.

And so, as I stand at my kitchen window propped up by a dowel rod, I thank God for a beautiful sunset, the smell of a chicken casserole, the sound of children playing soccer on the parking lot, and, of course, the dowel rod. God is good all the time and all the time God is good. Indeed, every day is a gift and that gift is filled with many gifts that we receive as we awaken each day. May all our senses and our hearts be always attuned to God’s generosity and the wealth of treasures that are given to us each day and may this awareness continue to inspire us to “re-gift” these treasures to others.

Happy Thanksgiving!