Amazing Things

Daily Gratitude Year 7 - Day 79: 
Today, I am grateful we are capable of amazing things.

Time for a midweek pep talk! Did you know that you simply were not designed to be ordinary. You were created in the image of God. He breathed his breath into man HIS breath. 

"Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." -Genesis 2:7

Our God breath made us different from the animals who were ruled by nature and instinct. We have some have nature and instincts, too, but we do not have to be controlled by them. We must choose to love or reject our creator and each other. 

After God's amazing work of creation, by dust and by rib... he then chose the womb. To see a baby developing in the womb by sonogram is breathtaking. The miracle of that little heartbeat growing louder, bigger and stronger is mesmerizing. Then the arms and legs begin to form. It is a miracle every time! 

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb." -Psalm 139:13 

Knit together by God's hand is an amazing way to begin. 

From our birth, we begin to grow in knowledge, skill and strength. A newborn knows the familiar voice of a mother or the reassurance of a heartbeat while sleeping on a father's chest. Each day... week... month and year bring new learning and new skills. We are never to old to stop learning (that is straight from Mama Ina Mae) and growing. What is amazing today, might be old news tomorrow, so don't forget to savor today's moments of wonder!

Spiritually, we can grow, too. The truth is... we are instructed to grow:

"Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good." -1 Peter 2:2-3

Sometimes we are tempted to "stay babies", experiencing the benefits of God's mercy and grace but not really bathing in it. Changed lives and new hearts come from jumping in with both feet. The joy that comes from the knowledge of our sins being forgiven is nothing compared to the power he pours into any heart that is willing to chase after his. He will not leave us orphans! He will encourage us in our first attempts and forgive our failures. He whispers, "You can do it! I AM with you." 

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." -John 14:18

He comes to us and enables us to change from the inside out. Through his adoption, we discover that we are equipped with the superpowers he bestows as one of His children. 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." -Galatians 5:22-23

Not in our own strength and power, but by Him... through Him... and in Him.  Some call them "fruits" and think you are "fruity" because of them. I prefer to think of them as superpowers from a supernatural source. 

Remember Edna Mode from The Incredibles? "No capes!" We don't need them. They are flashy and can be dangerous. When plugged in to the power source, we can impact our little corner of the world and... maybe... even beyond. 

Today, I am grateful we are capable of amazing things.