In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
We adopted a new dog in November of last year. Her name is Caroline, and she is probably about five years old. She’d been in shelters and foster homes for about a year, after being picked up in pretty bad shape from a life on the streets. (We don’t know for how long, but she was rescued with two of her puppies that were already teenagers.)
It took a few months for her to get used to us—and for our other five-year-old dog, Bella, to stop trying to eat her. But Caroline is super-snuggly (she’s on my lap, under my laptop as I write this) and the perfect addition to our family. She’s scarred up and a little wonky, but aren’t we all?
But there’s one thing that’s particularly noticeable about this sweet little dog…she is always just so happy to be here. Her tail is always wagging—which actually wags one of her back legs because it hangs about two inches above the ground. Her eyes are bright and shine with a noticeable gratefulness.
What an amazing lesson for us broken, scarred, and slightly wonky people who have been rescued by the grace of Jesus Christ. When we wake up each morning, we may not exactly jump around with glee, immediately ready to hit the outdoors in full-on discovery mode. But do we open our eyes to the wonder of a new day—a fresh gift from God, full of new mercies and potential? As we go about our day, do we bask in the wonder and beauty of creation? Are we overflowing with gratefulness for our eternal hope?
Life is challenging right now for every one of us. But, as followers of Jesus Christ, we have joy unspeakable to which we can cling each day. We have the breath of God in our lungs. We have a Savior that will never leave us or forsake us, no matter how long we are isolated from others.
Let’s pray: “Lord, help me to be thankful at all times, in all circumstances, appreciating the multitude of gifts you lay out in front of me each day.”
encouraged by grace 