Family

Photo by Jessica Lueken

What is your definition of “good things?” In Psalm 84:11 we read, “No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

My cousin Jeanette posted this query on facebook last week and received various responses, one of which my brother posted-

Fresh air, nourishing food, company of good friends and cousins- Robert Craven

Many of the other posts had to do with peace and joy in the inner man, while I do agree with those aspects of goodness, I also agree with my brother’s response. Fresh from a family reunion, he was feeling the joy of family. This good thing comes from the Lord also.

James 1:17 says “Every good gift and every perfect (free,large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light….”

My family has been through a series of trials over the years, but there have still been GOOD things, God has provided our needs. God has blessed us with each other. When I look at the above picture, I can count my blessings, LITERALLY. God has multiplied my blessings, first in 2000 by adding four new Guires and recently by adding grandchildren, Sam and Theo, not to mention two new sons (Adam and Seth).

As long as I focus on the Lord first, I can see these GOOD things. It is when I become me centered that I seek things or focus on circumstances that I sink into depression.

“For let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good-whether apparent or not] keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile (treachery, deceit),
I Peter 3:10

If I speak evil, negative words about my circumstances then I will not enjoy my life! I can enjoy my life whether my days are apparently good or not.

I am not going to list all the apparently bad that has happened in my life lately, instead, I will list the goodness of the Lord that I have seen in the land of the living!

*swimming with babies
*birthday cook-outs
*family photo shoots
*singing hymns with Audrey and Adam
*watching netflix in the MIDDLE of the day with Ania
*gardening
*visiting with my sister-in-law and nephew (Kris and Simon)
*swim days with friends
*coupon clipping with freinds
*blasting praise and worship music in my house because I live in a free country where men still fight for freedom
*long conversations with coffee on the side
* studying the Word and writing while sitting on my bed

Photo by Jessica Lueken