Find at Least One Thing

With all the turmoil around the world and the ongoing unrest in our nation, one thing is certain—sin is abundant.  It is easy to wonder whether there is any hope for peace in the world or even within our own communities.

Perhaps the answer begins by bringing our focus a little closer to home.  Instead of allowing ourselves to become consumed by the world’s troubles, we can choose to notice the blessings God places before us each day.  Sometimes we simply need to stop and smell the roses.  Finding at least one thing each day to be thankful for can change our outlook.  Gratitude is a choice, and choosing it can bring joy to our hearts.

My wife and I have been watching the television series Anne with an E.  The main character, Anne, is a young orphan girl who intentionally looks for something beautiful or enjoyable each day, despite the hardships she has endured.  After losing both of her parents as a child, Anne learned to fill her mind with hope instead of despair.  Her example reminds us that our circumstances do not have to determine our attitude.

If we are not careful, constantly filling our minds with the news of the day can weigh heavily on our spirits.  It can leave us asking, “Is all this calamity all there is to look forward to?  Where is the hope for mankind?”

I believe that when we intentionally pause to enjoy God’s wonderful creation, our spirits are refreshed.  Watching a honeybee gather pollen from flowers or marveling at a tiny hummingbird hovering from blossom to blossom reminds us of the beauty, order, and care that God has woven into His creation.  These simple moments can lift our hearts and redirect our thoughts toward Him.

When I was a boy, life seemed much simpler.  Every day was a new adventure, and fear rarely entered my mind.  Today, however, our minds are often saturated with the cares of life and the constant reminders of a world affected by sin.  Yet Jesus died so that we might have abundant life in Him as children of God.  When we dwell only on the things that appear to be falling apart, it is easy to lose our joy.  But as we walk with the Lord, He faithfully provides peace, joy, and purpose each day.

I often think of a story about my father-in-law taking our oldest son for walks when he was just a little boy.  As they walked together, they talked about the Bible while purposely kicking cigarette butts along the sidewalk.  Those simple walks became treasured memories that remain with my son to this day.

Our walk with Jesus is much the same.  The quiet moments spent with Him leave lasting impressions on our hearts.  They lift our minds above the negativity that surrounds us and remind us that His presence is our greatest source of peace and hope.

The apostle Paul gives us this encouragement in Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

May we make it our daily habit to find at least one thing for which we can thank God.  As we do, we will discover that even in a troubled world, His goodness is never far away.

Written by,

Papa Boyd