“I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will travel with them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.” Eccl.8:15
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights” (Jms.1:17). “God richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1Tim6:17).
Heavenly Father, thank you for intending joy to be our traveling companion all the way Home. “It’s hard down here,” but life in the Son makes our toil under the sun more than bearable. Here are a few things for which I’m currently grateful and number among the many good gifts you intend us to enjoy.
Thank you for all-season friends. I’ve never been more thankful for long-term, non-posing, everybody-has-weaknesses, grace-saturated friendships. Thank you for my unrushed, daily walks—my sensory-stimulating, heart-centering strolls. Thank you for fishing—in all forms and expressions. Thank you for taste buds and the many ways you ignite my longing for the Wedding Feast of the Lamb.
And a big thank you for our pets—and for animals in general. Though Darlene and I are currently “dog-less,” we are in a season of “pondering the birds” (Matt.6:26), as we have between 7-10 different species feeding at our feeders. But about dogs, thank you for reminding me 3 things Martin Luther said about the “canine part” of your good creation, and animal life in the New Creation world to come:
“The dog is the most faithful of animals… Our Lord God has made His greatest gifts the commonest.” And this: “Oh, if I could only pray the way this dog watches the meat! All his thoughts are concentrated on the piece of meat. Otherwise, he has no thought, wish, or hope”. And the best: “Be comforted, little dog, you too in the Resurrection shall have a little golden tail.” (A tearful hallelujah for that, as I’ve known the pain of saying goodbye to 4 dog-friends.)
Abba, thank you, thank you, thank you. Your greatest gifts to us are Jesus and relationship with yourself. But you give us SO much more. SO Very Amen.