Green

I am always amazed at how green Ohio is in the spring and early summer. Not just the grass, but the trees as well.

And speaking of trees, they are abundant! As I sit in my Mom’s hospital room, I can look out and only see the tree tops.

Trees of Colorado

As I move through the hospital, the view is the same. Tree tops. Green tree tops. Occasionally there is a water tower of cell phone tower, but very occasionally.

Although green is not near the top of my favorite color list, the abundance of green right now is encouraging. It is refreshing. It is inspiring. It is uplifting. It is reassuring.

We can also find encouragement, refreshment, inspiration, uplifting, and reassurance from God’s abundant blessings. Reflect on a few verses to be reminded of His abundances.

“They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.” (Psalm 145:7) Celebrate! You are covered abundantly by His goodness!

“You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance.” (Psalm 68:9) There is nothing like a shower...inside or outside. It does bring great refreshment to us as it does the land.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 - NAS) When we accept the life that Jesus offers, everything changes. Our quality of life changes too. It moves from being mediocre to excellent. It moves from average to above average. It moves from ordinary to extraordinary. Now that is abundant!

“For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” (Romans 5:17) We don’t just get a provision of grace, it is an abundant provision. I don’t know about you, but for this makes me very happy.

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8) God blesses us for a purpose. For His purpose. So that in each situation in our lives, we can be doing good.

“From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.” (John 1:16 - NLT) God’s abundant blessings keep on coming. One after another. He certainly is a gracious Father.

The problem with abundance is that we sometimes take it for granted. We don’t acknowledge it. We just expect it to always be there. If we take God’s blessings and gifts for granted, we are certainly not showing our heavenly Father an attitude of gratitude.

Please don’t let a day go by that you don’t thank or praise God for His abundant blessings upon your life. That in itself will bring abundant joy to your life.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna