The text came in the early morning. A simple question of no real consequence, from a young mom, just checking in. Followed quickly by a picture of her kids.

 I responded: “You’re rich. Tired. 😂 But, rich.” And I meant it. She is incredibly wealthy in all the ways that truly matter. 

She asked me to pray, to help her remember to focus on that. And I smiled to myself, understanding completely.

I don’t know why it is that our greatest gifts, often blessings we have prayed for and received, are also our weightiest responsibilities. Have you noticed this too? Marriage, children, family relationships, friendships, jobs, projects, material things…all require attention, energy, and upkeep. We are all managing blessings. Yet we focus on the difficulty of management rather than the fact that our hands are full of good things.

Maybe that’s just it. We are focused on our hands. On the doing. But where are our hearts and minds? Perhaps we can turn the focus to our hearts and our minds for a moment. I mention both because they work in tandem, and it takes intention to keep them aligned with our work for each day.

It’s much easier to jump up each morning and pick up right where we left off, doing what needs to be done, getting on with the responsibilities of the day, because it’s all right there waiting for us, making our hearts either pound with anxiety or feel weighed down with discouragement and frustration.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23

“…we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

How grateful I am for a God Who does not change! There is so much change happening all the time around us; so much that is out of our control. It is such a calming reminder that God, who is in control of everything, can certainly help me manage the good gifts He’s given me!

Oh friend, be encouraged today as you lift your eyes from your good gifts to the Giver. Rely on His grace and strength to do all that needs to be done. Rest, knowing you bring Him glory simply by your peaceful enjoyment of what He has placed in your hands. He is surely with you. You are not alone.

Psalm 90:17 “Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us; establish for us the work of our hands — establish the work of our hands!

I’m cheering you forward!