A Stimulating Question

"What if one day you woke up with only what you've thanked God for?"

This question was posed to me by one of my good friends.

My honest response to this was how much I wouldn't have around me. My friend agreed with that sentiment as well.

That brief conversation got me thinking though. How long do we trudge along in life before we truly give thanks to the Lord for anything and everything in our lives? Now one of the first thoughts that pops in my head is how dumb it would be to thank God for every little thing every day. But to combat my own dumb thought, we as Christians should be in fact doing that very act every single day, all the time. By the Lord's grace are we still alive today, by his mercy that we have friends, family, and comfortable lifestyles. Now I won't go into how truly blessed each and every one of us are, but please do remember that thought.

Granted it is difficult to thank the Lord all the time. I mean we are called to pray without ceasing (though it's better put in my opinion to be communicating with the Lord at all times) and how many of us can say we actually do that? Sure it's super easy to thank Him during the times of good and blessing, but even then at those times we fail to recognize the Lord's bountiful blessing and regard for us. Then comes the times of suffering, hardship, and trouble; I don't know about you, but I tend to really fail there. Instead of thanking the Lord, I'm more asking Him why this, why that, and to just help me with my current situation.

However since this question was asked, I've tried to remember to thank the Lord for something each day and to be grateful for everything He's given me. Sure I've forgotten every so often, but I aim to make this a habit.

Give thanks to Lord, for He is good; his love endures forever. 

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 

I hope the first line of this post got you thinking. Mull over those thoughts, pray about them, and if need be talk to a person you trust about them.

Coram Deo

One Of Those Recent Bothers

So the past few weeks, this one thing has been irking me.

It's what many people say runs the world.

That one thing being money.

Now I understand that money is what allows us to pay rent, buy food, put gas in our cars, and a whole lot of other things. But what's been getting to me is how much people these days just want money and what they'll do for it. I mentioned this subject last summer in this post. My feelings on this haven't changed one single bit.

Some of you reading will wonder (if you don't already know) what my current circumstances are. Because I'd only have this opinion if I was living the comfortable life and be at the other end of the spectrum if I was struggling. So to clear things up. I graduated college this past May with a bachelor's in electrical engineering. I currently have an engineering job and a swim coaching position. I also am living at home with my parents and my youngest brother. Fortunately my parents are not asking for rent so there goes a chunk of money that I do not have to spend. As for food, I contribute to the family's groceries, but my mom makes dinner for me. Yes, I'll admit I've got life quite good. I can't complain at all. I've got two jobs in this current economy. I'm living at home saving money and I've got a wonderful mother who provides me with dinner every day.

However you know what else I am.

Blessed.

Amidst all the uncertainty of life after graduation, the Lord blessed me with this opportunity to be home and working these two jobs. Granted I do want to move out and live on my own to experience that part of life (trust me I do and have wanted to for quite some time). However I do know that right now I need to live this blessing out and trust that whatever comes up, the Lord will work His Almighty hand into it (as always).

But back to this post's topic. I just can't get past how money is what revolves around in so many of my co-workers's heads. Talking to one of my closest friends, they agreed how it's just like that at their workplace. As well as that they too couldn't see why people act like they do for more hours to get more money and in turn trade their lives away just to make whatever amount they make every year. A lot of my older co-workers tell me how when they were younger that was where overtime was made and that it wasn't uncommon to work 50-70 hour weeks. I guess to me working that much just doesn't sound pleasant and that may make me a wuss. However I'd rather be a wuss and connect with friends, enjoy the Lord's creation, and let my body not crumble than to be a workaholic millionaire.

All this reminded me a song, below is the Youtube video for it:

Lastly, if you the reader are struggling in any way. I urge you to first turn to the Lord, and next to a close friend. If that friend be me, feel free to contact me in any way and any time. 

soli deo gloria

coram deo