Pay Attention
by Cindy Allen
A couple of years ago I bought a word find puzzle book. I enjoyed them as a child and found that I enjoyed them still. I sometimes do two or three while watching tv at night. They seem to help me destress.
I have noticed something as I do them. In the beginning I have a hard time finding words, but 3 or 4 minutes in, I begin to easily spot words. I guess it takes my mind a few minutes to get in the groove of word finding.
I am in the middle of a devotional book entitled The Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving. It is 30 days of praising, remembering, acknowledging, and thanking God for his goodness. Several times throughout the study the author has asked participants to list 10 micro blessings. Some lists are specific blessings, like those you notice in nature or blessings from that specific day, and others are just a list of blessings.
I noticed the same thing about blessings that I noticed about words; it is kind of hard to get started but once I think of a couple of blessings, they just seem to pile up in my mind. I am surrounded by innumerable blessings every minute of every day; sometimes I do not really see them. But just like my word finds, the more I look, the more I see.
When I set my mind on looking for blessings there is an endless supply, but I have to be looking. If I am self-absorbed, or worried, or over thinking, I miss all the things God wants me to notice.
This world is wonderful but I have to pay attention or it will just pass me by. Have you ever sung a song in church (1st, 2nd, last verse) and at the end you knew you sang the words but you don’t remember any of them? Sadly, that can happen in our lives unless we make a conscious effort to look for the things God wants us to see.
It is hard. Life is busy. The best way to spot the blessings is to start thinking about them and thanking God for them. Grab a piece of paper and start your own list. If we are really intentional, our list will never end because we serve a God who blesses us abundantly in ways that are more than we can ask or imagine.
Prayer: Dear Lord, how do I even begin to thank you for all the things you do for me? Your blessings are as abundant as the stars in the sky. Your love and care of me are overwhelming. Lord help me to notice you in my everyday life. Don’t let me just walk through life but be fully in each moment, so aware of you working in every way. And even though it isn’t much, I have to say THANK YOU! In Jesus’ name, Amen
Response: Make a list of blessings and thank God for his GREATNESS.
Scripture: Exodus 34:6, Mark 10:18, Psalm 27:13, Psalm 107:8-9
