Appreciate the Small and Great

The smallest things are the greatest miracles

Sometimes we take for granted the blessings we are given

To cultivate an attitude of gratitude, we must understand that blessings come in all shapes and sizes. Most of the time when we hear people talk about being #blessed, they are thanking God for material or financial blessings that make a huge impact in the moment. And, we should praise God for those blessings.

However, we should be just as vocal about and actively look for the "blink, and you'll miss it" moments. Sometimes, everyday blessings are spiritual; the result of growing through the sanctification process. For example, you get cut off in traffic, and you don't gesture at the driver as you would have in the past. Or, a co-worker comes to you with the latest gossip, and you change the subject or tell them you don't want to hear it. Every step we get closer to the image of Christ is worth notice (Romans 8:29). And, God deserves the praise for it, so don't overlook it.

Sometimes, everyday blessings are emotional. For instance, calling on God when you feel lost or alone before calling another person for comfort. Or, feeling inexplicable joy from within regardless of outside circumstances. These everyday blessings can be mental. Perhaps, you notice that you are no longer subject to lies that used to occupy your daily thoughts (Philippians 4:8-9). These everyday blessings can be in the form of protection. We hear stories all the time of people who are running late and avoid accidents or plane crashes.

If we are always only looking for gigantic physical, material or financial blessings, we miss out on so many opportunities to praise God. We must appreciate the (seemingly) small and the great. We should start by praising God for the sacrifice of Jesus and salvation of our souls. If He never did anything else for us, we could praise Him every single day for salvation alone. Yet, God is consistently and constantly blessing us, and He deserves the glory and gratitude for every one of those gifts (Jeremiah 9:24).

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being a generous God. Thank You for salvation from sin and death. Thank You for daily provision, protection, correction and direction. Help us to recognize the blessings that we sometimes overlook and to lift our voices and offer the praise and glory that is due to You alone. In the Glorious Name of Jesus, Amen!