Appreciating Blessed and Recognizing Blessings

By: M.Charlotte Oliver

^“3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, ⁴ even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.”

Ephesians 1:3-4

(ESV)

This day started earlier than usual, and as I compose this short note to you, all I’ve completed within four hours makes this moment seem much later than it is. I suppose rest will come much sooner tonight than the days before. I patiently await this time, for sleep is so good to and for me.

Based on my schedule for November, I’d considered writing bi-monthly reflections to at least share a little something of my thoughts, entwined with some happenings of my daily life. But I am here with you once again on this day. As I write this, I earnestly and sincerely thank the Lord (1 Chronicles 16:34) for giving me the will and energy to create in so many ways. A part of my personality does not always allow moments of consistent conversation. Therefore, the fingers on my hardworking hands somewhat compensate for this lack. At most, this is what I tell myself.

November in the United States (US) is the month of Thanksgiving. As I quickly peruse social media, I’ve begun to consistently see small tokens of daily thankfulness. It’s often quite nice to view this treasured characteristic of so many! Of course, a few viewers may say that “we should all be thankful at all times, in every day.” I get why some may feel this way. And at general moments, depending on my mood, I too have quietly made this comment. However, the way I see it, those who express a ritual of thankfulness in November provide me a pleasant hope that innately there are kindness, gentleness, and appreciation embedded in everyone. From the same persons each year, I see ‘believing eggs’, just cracking just a bit more. God works among His people as He elects (Ephesians 1:4) those who celebrate Him, even in the simple act of gratefulness only in November.

Precise easygoing observations as described above can offer anyone opportunities to dig deeper beyond daily thoughts of expectation with more focus on instances of appreciation. This journey prepares us to capture and realize the real meaning of the forthcoming seasons upon us. When we give ourselves time to sit back, to be in stilled attentiveness, we, in most cases, can truly discover God’s intended spiritual meanings even in the tradition of a November Daily Thanksgiving List.

Considering the verse above I have chosen this week; we see the Apostle Paul praise God, the Son, and the works of His Spirit, through His spiritual blessings available in heaven even before creation. The same spiritual blessings and meanings (positions of the Spirit), accessible to us right here on earth. The Apostle Paul continues in verse 13 by discussing that Holy Spirit seals every promise to us. And then, once again in verse 17, he shares that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give us the Spirit (ESV capitalization) of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. Once again, we read of the works of the Holy Spirit here as a complete understanding of the Trinity. The Trinity continues to work in and through us, to consistently cherish how blessed we all are while recognizing our daily earthly blessings, magnified in heaven.

As we move toward the day of Thanksgiving, may we not merely celebrate on November 25^th, when we often stop to give thanks for all that God gives to us. Conversely, in our daily dealings, let’s value the generous and kind people in our lives. The people who listen to our thoughts on trying days, the taste of sweet and nutritious orange, for family and friends who see our beauty even with bedhead hair. For the wonder of a postage stamp, which delivers written greetings of care and love, the smile of a baby, the cuddle of animals, the calm touch of a loved one, warm sweaters, and so much more.

I seek these values out in myself as a reminder that the actual works and blessings of Holy Spirit should never be in vain. This search paves the way of actions and gratitude within me to better express His holiness. Being in complete awareness of God in our lives allows us to know His good, cultivate thankfulness that we are blessed each day, hold on to these blessings, and if we chose to do so, share on them. The very blessings coming straight from God. The ones He readily gives and those He provides through others.

The reflective query I leave you with this week is:

Are there connections you see in the blessings of others and the recognition of some of these same blessings God gives to you? Is your heart fully ready to be thankful for the blessings God gives to others and the promises of blessings He delivers through His Holy Spirit to you?

Until I am here again, I hope, thus far, this eleventh month of the year 2021 has been a time of comfort to you!

In peace,

Char