Things Unseen

Year 5-Day 341: Today...I am grateful for things unseen. 

Unseen does not mean "not real". 

This image is a quote from The Polar Express. The book is so charming and Tom Hanks poured his heart into the movie version. 

"Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see." 

How true!  Some things must be felt with the heart. 

In this busy, crazy month of December, what do we see and hear? What do we feel?

The streets and sidewalks are busy with the urgency of the clock ticking. The stores put out flags for sales because they are over-stuffed "Stuffmarts" (as Veggie Tales calls them). They offer goods we can touch. Yet, the most special gifts touch our hearts. It is not the price tag. It is the heart of the giver. The love we cannot see, but feel.  

This is not typically a "Christmas scripture" but it is perfect for the season. God longs for us to stop the insanity long enough that we can actually hear the Christmas bells and the angels singing. They still sing. He waits for us to pause long enough that we notice the star and find our way to the manger. Our self induced anxiety and stress are blinding. 

Paul didn't intend this for a Christmas post, but it is perfect:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." -Philippians 4:6-8

This Christmas... we can seek a meaningful Christmas. In that process... we may be able to do more with less. Simple acts of giving from a heart that seeks His face, instead of joining in the scary rat race. 

God's unseen peace exceeds human understanding. We cannot be anxious when praying prayers of gratitude. Try it. I can't seem to do it. Thanksgiving and praise seem to dispel anxiety. One repels the other. It is His unseen peace that guards our hearts and minds. 

Oh yes... the unseen act of prayer and belief... it is a very real superpower from the Master of the Universe. 

Today...I am grateful for things unseen.