Daily Focus: Gratitude for a possession

”I give thanks to GOD with everything I’ve got—Wherever good people gather, and in the congregation. GOD’s works are so great” (Psalm 111:1, MSG).

     Whenever I enter my office, I pass by a picture painted by a young Haitian artist named Michel. The portrait boasts a brightly colored image of a small village located in the mountains of Hispaniola. The painting is one of my most prized possessions as it reminds me of the people with whom I once served. The importance of this artwork lies not in its commercial value but in the precious memories it recalls to my mind.

     It is said that memories are timeless treasures of the heart. Each of us treasure memories because they help us relive significant moments in our lives.

     Our memories eventually become stories we tell over and again. The beautiful memories we share with others eventually become things of beauty for everyone to appreciate. Our memories have the capacity to encourage others who are struggling. Memories can embolden those who vacillate over an important decision to take a leap of faith. Shared memories not only elicit a sense of gratitude for the past but likewise evoke a sense of hope for the future.

     Memories can be triggered by little things we encounter throughout the day. A song. A smell. A picture. What some may consider an ordinary moment in time can become an extraordinary occasion to rejoice.

     The Psalm writer gave thanks to God for everything he experienced, for everyone he encountered, and for every gift he received. Every work of God was valued, not for its own sake, but for the way it enriched his life, as well as the lives of others.

     So today, take time to praise God for the good gifts He has given to you. Even more, relish the memories they stoke in your mind. Share with others the stories they tell. The blessings you receive will spill over from your heart into the hearts of those who listen.