Giving Thanks

Do you ever thank God for giving us another new day? It improves our perspective if we step back from the daily chaos, at least for a moment, to thank God for His blessings and providence. Sometimes it helps to look around…

Here in Livermore, many of our plants and trees are in their dormant season. Roses look stubby and barren after their annual pruning, the garden lies fallow waiting for this spring’s tomato plants, and deciduous trees have long since lost their leaves. The Sierra snowpack grows as each storm sweeps in off the Pacific, and points further east seem locked in the depth of winter. Our hardenbergia are in full bloom, though, and even a few honeybees found their way to the blossoms. This is when California’s climate shines, and we thank God for reminders that Spring is on its way!

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:4-8 (ESV)