Taking It All In | The Goodness of God’s Character

How do we truly appreciate the value in a moment, a day, a season? How do we take it all in?

Introduction

Yes…sometimes we must pause and reflect or we will miss it completely. Yes…we are to dive wholeheartedly into the life God has for us. By doing so, we will get so much more out of it than we ever thought possible.

Yes…we can choose to wear our heart on our sleeve, and purpose to keep ourselves from being jaded or guarded from pain. 

It’s a Gift

But are these the only ways? Is it really another list of suggestions or steps in order to value our moments, or is it possibly also a “gift” just like the moment itself?

We as humans are undeserving of each breath we take. Death because of sin is all we deserve; therefore life because of grace is reason enough to be grateful. But how can we truly show gratitude not just by saying it, but by allowing our hearts to be receptive to the fullness and the meanings of the gift? 

Perhaps we can’t…on our own. Perhaps we also need Jesus not just to have these undeserved moments, but to really appreciate them.

Treasuring My Child

We read that Mary sat often treasuring all the events of Christ’s birth and pondering them in her heart. And we just assume that “well, of course she did!” She was his mom after all. Of course she had all the “feels.” But maybe, on top of God extending to her the greatest privilege of bearing the Savior of the word, He also gave her the gift of relishing in the privilege as well.

I am currently pregnant with our fourth child (a girl). While it may seem more natural to engage in these moments as a mother, I have sat lately and worried that I would not be able to fully appreciate the moment at the time of her arrival. I already have three beautiful children and remember their births with sweet fondness. But this will be our last, and somehow, I’m feeling uncertain that I will be able to take it all in like I know I want to. I worry that the moment will simply pass me by. I worry I won’t be able to ponder and cherish like Mary did. The Lord has been reminding me yet again, that “He” is the one who gave us this baby. And “He” is the one who gives me the capacity to treasure her in the right way. 

Simply Ask

Perhaps you are in a time in your life where you do not even see a way to cherish your moments because of hardship. Or perhaps you are looking at your life, and it seems pretty picturesque. However, you just can’t somehow enjoy it for what it’s worth. Maybe you’ve lost your sense of childlike wonder, and you need it back. Whether you’ve been beaten down to nothing from endless pain, or you’ve been brought to numbness from an easier path, God desires to gift you yet again with an ability to grasp His goodness. He desires for you to truly engage in your moments…to be excited for His presence…and to be in awe of His salvation.

Ask Him!! Ask Him for the divine ability to take it all in. Seek to be overwhelmed by the goodness of His character, even in the midst of pain. Ask to become aware and accepting of the way He uses His moments to mold us in His image. Further, ask Him to give you the gift of gratitude so that you may breathe in His fullness with each undeserved breath. Ask Him for the ability to not just hold His gifts, but to unwrap them and enjoy them for all they’re worth. Let “Him” be your gift, and let Him enable you to fully receive.