Day 29: Gratitude focus – A friend from the past (childhood, high school, college)
Quality or name of God – My Loving God
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“O my Strength, I watch for you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.” (Psalm 59:9-10, NIV)
A few years ago now, it was the Physician’s Assistant who told me in a very gracious way that my test results were not good, and I needed surgery. No options. Then she sat and waited for me to lose it. I think she was startled when I didn’t. She told me more of the “back story” and again, she waited. I asked pertinent questions, discussed the possible timeline for surgery, and then thanked her for letting me know the results so clearly.
Her response? “Wow—you must have a really solid foundation? Do you realize what I just told you?” Yes, I had realized it, and yes, there would be moments of confusion, sadness, and even anger over the next six weeks—and beyond. But even in the midst of those reactions, the foundation never moved because the foundation is in Christ—Who never changes!
Today’s verses just reiterated that thought to me. He is my loving, merciful God. Everything that occurs in my life is the result of that. Everything.
When things are going well and my walk with Him is what it ought to be? His love is the same. When life goes pear shaped and even my best isn’t enough? His love for me is the same. When I’m financially secure? He loves me no more or no less. When I’m struggling to make it all happen? His love is the same.
Because of His love…He is (My Deliverer, My Portion, My Shepherd…)—and the blank could be filled with every word from November 1st until now! All the other names of God and character qualities of God that I’ve been writing about and thinking about this month come back to the fact that He is my loving God.
And that, my friends, is an unshakable foundation!
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Additional reading (for reading through the Psalms in 30 days):
Psalm 29, 59, 89, 119, 149
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Ideas for demonstrating gratitude to the person of focus today: » – Call or send an email to thank them for their impact in your life. »$ – Write a thank you note or letter to your friend of focus. Send it through the mail to arrive later this week. Share a favorite memory of an event or act of kindness that influenced you in a positive way. $ – Either through the mail, by personal delivery, or via local delivery service, send an inexpensive “just-because-I-appreciate-you” gift to your gratitude recipient—a plant, a favorite game for the family to play when you get together, a gift certificate for a manicure or a massage, etc.—and be sure to include a note of appreciation!» = free »$ = minimal cost $ = cost involved
“Friends are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer.” (Unknown)