For a few seasons now, I’ve been part of an incredible Bible study. I joined a year or two ago and we meet every fall and spring, taking long breaks to accommodate vacations, holidays, etc. A few of my peers have been in the study with me, but most of the group is made of ladies 15-40 years older than me, which means I glean a room full of experienced wisdom once a week. It’s a humbling honor to be part of it.
Though I rarely seen her now, there is one particular lady who just inspires me. She was part of the group when I first joined roughly 2 years ago, but our time hasn’t overlapped since. Our one-on-one conversations were few and brief. What initially struck me about her was her open cheerfulness and friendliness and she exuded honest confidence coupled with humility in faith. Every time we were invited to pray at the beginning of Bible study, she started with “Lord thank you for everything I have and everything I don’t have…”
Everything I have and everything I don’t have.
photo by z287marc
We grow up learning that everything we have is a gift from God and part of his divine plan for our lives; it didn’t occur to me until this lady thanked him for what she lacked that God chooses not to give us things for the same loving reason. It’s so easy for me to contrast my life with others who have more materially or even spiritually, with those who are more successful at one thing or another versus my tried and failed attempts.
But then, those things I don’t have are from God; and knowing this gives me true peace to conquer petty comparisons or even jealousy on my part. What’s the point of either in light of the fact that God has blessed me specifically for my own particular good? These blessings will ultimately lead me to heaven if I receive them and use them well. Though I can’t say my soul has totally taken on this approach, once I do I’ll be able to peaceably accept anything and everything that comes and goes in my life. Taken to a deeper level, this bit of wisdom from my Bible study friend echos the humility of Job after he lost EVERYTHING in his life: “…the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Thank you for everything I don’t have.
Because it’s been so long since I was in Bible study with her, I doubt this lady would even recognize me if we met on the street. Still, her words have brought me closer to Christ and I’m grateful to God for having worked through her. I write about her not only to pass on her wisdom, but to also ask prayers for her. She lost her dear husband very unexpectedly* just 3 days ago. Please pray for her and their three children as they grieve, and for the soul of her husband as well.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let the Perpetual Light shine upon him. May he and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
*original post said “expectedly,” but it was a typo
Thank you for sharing Katie. This is just what I needed to read today. It’s a very good thing to live by. By thanking God for the things we don’t have, we can be more at peace.
Prayers said. What a wonderful reminder to pray for what we don’t have also.
What an inspiring post…that is such a simple but powerful prayer that I will certainly be using in my own life now as well. Thank you for sharing and I am sending prayers up for this family.
I love this…..looking at both sides of the coin! What you have and what you don’t have via the wisdom and blessings of the Lord! Thank you, Katie!