Oh that moment, I walk in the door at my parents’ home. Turkey cooking. Dressing baking. The aroma of delicious anticipation floating through the house.
I want it to last forever.
There’s something so wonderful about slowing down and savoring our blessings.
Though our earthly blessings are fleeting, there are hints of heaven in every one. How I want to hold tight to each one.
But, they are like soap bubbles blown from a wand, they shine and dance, float away, and are quickly gone.
I can’t hold them in my hands. I can only hold them in my heart.
A white dress and a church aisle.
A long kiss.
My newborn baby lying on my chest.
First smiles, first giggles, first “I love you mommy”.
Easter dresses. School plays. Friday night ballgames.
Thanksgiving dinners. Christmas mornings. Crackling fires.
Long talks and long walks. Slow dances.
Crunching fall leaves. Tiny snowflakes. First flowers of spring. Sunrises. Sunsets. Mountaintops. Babbling creeks.
Porch swings. Lemonade on hot summer days. Cool breezes.
Ice cream. White sand. Ocean waves.
Fuzzy blankets. Hot coffee. Bath tubs. PJs.
Laughter with close friends. Holding hands and praying. Sunday mornings. Church songs.
Simple things.
Little things.
Good things.
Blessings.
Even and especially in the midst of heartache and hard days, let us see our blessings.
Let’s count them and be reminded that not every day is a hard day.
God gives us good days, fun days, belly-laughing, joy-filled days too.
He is behind every blessing we can see and taste and feel. (James 1:17)
And the Giver of good things is working even hard things together for good for those who love Him, for those who are called according to His purpose. (Rom 8:28)
Even the hard things of this hard year.
Yes, we live in a fallen world, but we never, ever, face one day of it alone. (Deut 31:6)
Our Father is with us and with those we love.
He gives us the strength we need, when we need it, to walk through life’s hardest moments. (Isa 41:10)
Weeping may last for a night, but joy comes with the morning (Psalm 30:5).
On this Thanksgiving Day, as I think about my blessings, these simple, even silly little blessings, I’m so incredibly thankful.
Yes, I’ve mourned, and I will likely mourn again before this life is over. I am not denying the hard in this world.
But I’ve also flipped over to the back of The Book.
One day our mourning will be forever turned into dancing!
One day the blessings will be without end for God’s children.
One day all that is wrong will be made forever right.
One day a New Heaven and a New Earth.
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Rev 21:1-5)
One day the blessings won’t seem to float away like soap bubbles. One day the aroma of sweet anticipation won’t fade.
One day our faith really will become sight!
Jesus.
God with us!
The greatest of all blessings.
The Perfect Lamb!!
Our eyes will behold glory and blessings far beyond anything we can imagine forever and ever!
“No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. “ (Rev 22:3-6)
Trustworthy and true!
Oh friend… we have so very much to celebrate!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
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Kim Jaggers Ministry 