Abundance of Blessings in a Cursed World

From the fullness of his grace we have received one blessing after another. John 1:16 (NIV)

On my way to my sister's house five minutes away, to welcome our parents from a six hour drive from their home I realized something. My heart filled with such joy and excitement that I was going to see them. We had so many fun activities planned for their visit and I could not wait to get started. As I began thanking God for family, and laughter and fun, I started realizing all of the abundant blessings he gives daily. The thought came to me how this world is cursed by sin, and yet God continues to allow us to have an overflow of blessings. Creation alone is unbelievable; the fact that he made this world in color, and gave us the all our senses to enjoy it is unreal.

When you think of a cursed world what do you think of? My first thought when I asked myself this was dark, cold, and absolute constant suffering. You do not really think of sunshine, a laughing child, or the warm hug of a dear friend, do you? Not only did God make a way for us, sinners bound for hell, to someday spend eternity with him in a perfect world. In the mean time He gives us glimpses of all his wonder. Make it a priority to thank God for the things we so often over look and take for granted, blessings, one after another.

I know there are days when it is very obvious we live in a cursed world, where sin and death are very real. But take hope in this temporary life we do live. Be so blessed in the fact that we have the privilege to take part in Christ's work, to be a light to the lost. That someday they will join us in eternity and will get to be forever blessed in the presence of our amazing loving Heavenly Father.

Father, Thank you for loving us so much for making it possible to someday be with you in heaven. Thank you for the little rays of sunshine you provide daily in the mist of this dark and sinful world.

Sarah Hostetler