Day 158 – Look for the signs of the Lord’s favor all around you and find a greater outlook on life.
Today’s Reading: Psalm 85 – 87
“Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.” Psalm 86:17.
It’s so much easier to look for the bad and troublesome issues around us then look for the good that’s happening. Just look at the news reports, the gossip magazines, and the Facebook slams.
When we carry the woe is me syndrome around on our back the load gets heavy. This syndrome is actually an act of selfishness because we are wanting to steal the Joy of those around us by getting all of their attention focused on us. However, when we look at trials as joy and strengthening through the eyes of our beholder, seeing that what He created is good; when we look to the favor of His love that surrounds us, we will impart this Joy into the lives of others.
6 years ago we welcomed the newest addition to the Hitchcock clan, our Old English Shepherd dog, “Toodles”. She may still act like a 7 month old, playful pup, needing tons of attention, barking all of the time, seeming to be a handful, but actually being a tremendous blessing from God. She is an act of favor on our family.
We needed something to care for more than ourselves and she allows us to do this. Do we need a dog, NO, were we looking for one, NO, but that’s how God works, by showing up when we least expect it. The week she showed up, the Holy Spirit was nudging me about a puppy, odd I thought, because I really hadn’t wanted one. But when Toodles came to my house, I didn’t even question why, I knew that this was our dog. (And Brett’s warmed up to her after 6 years as well.) What’s even better, Toodles is a constant reminder of our little Hayden’s favorite tv show, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse because he loved to sit in front of the tv and say, “Oh Toodles”. I think I can even hear him from Heaven.
It is our responsibility to spread the Joy and Love of Christ, and we can do this through looking for God’s favor in our everyday circumstance, even when we didn’t know we needed what He brought.
Running 2 Fly 