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3 Green Gifts

 
 
The old saying goes, "March comes in like a lion, out like a lamb" thankfully fell short in our area.  This weekend has been beautiful!  Perfect weather, a busy soccer season ended, leaving us some family time at home!
 
In my emails, I came across Ann Voskamp's  March Joy Dare, where every day of the month, encouragement is given to look for specific things to be thankful for.  Today's challenge was to find "3 Gifts Green". 
 
In the middle of our church worship service, the sermon was on being deliberate about loving God and focusing on Him.  Remembering the Joy Dare for today, I scanned the congregation for anything 'green'.  Quickly I found 1,2,3 people wearing green.  This will be easy...I thought!
 
Person #1 - one of the most godly women I have ever known!  Through the years, she has modeled the grace and glory of the Lord to so many.  "Thank you, Lord, for this beautiful example you have set before so many."
 
Person #2 - the adult child of person #1!  Also the Sunday School teacher of my son, who has a great impact on him and is a true blessing to our family.  "Thank you, Lord for this one's diligent service to You and how much this family means to us, they truly are a heaven sent blessing."
 
Person #3 - Oh my!  The fellow church member we love in the Lord, but the one we are not real comfortable around.  We are very different and sometimes on opposite sides of issues.  There is no real conflict there, but there is lots of room for love to grow!!  How do we give thanks for them? 
 
Giving thanks isn't conditional.  Understanding that all we are and all we have comes from the Lord,  We readily thank Him for the good things, but the things that stretch us seem to be a bit harder to be thankful for.  But, by choosing to 'give thanks in all circumstances", we acknowledge that He knows more than we and even in the midst of where we are, He is able to work things our for our good. So, "thank you, Lord, for person #3, for providing the opportunity to look beyond what is comfortable to me and look to the good of someone else.  Thank you for the extra patience and kindness you provide when it is needed in my life.  Thank you for the opportunity to stretch and grow in You!"
 
If you want to begin March with a grateful heart, here is a link to the March Dare. Print it off and be ready to seek out His blessings and cultivate a thankful life.
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