Freedom to Appreciate

I remember the first time God planted the seed of freedom in my heart. I had gone down to the valley where Mum had taken her life, and while sitting there, I began to have the most intense debate with God about what I perceived as being; "the absolute impossibility of appreciating life”. I wouldn't classify myself as a Christian back then, simply because I was still so confused about EVERYTHING. But nevertheless, God and I had some interesting discussions during these times. I believed in Him, I loved Him enough to be obedient to His voice. But I was just a hurt little rebellious girl, whose life was in tatters. It was a time in my life where I would literally plead with Him to let me go....to let me come home, and although I knew what He was saying, I could not for the life of me, understand it. I would hear Him stating rather matter of factly, that appreciation was required in order for me to make sense of things. I left that place with a God gifted answer, painstakingly bubble wrapped with divine sticky tape.

What He did for me that day was nothing short of a miracle. The holy spirit led me by the heart strings up a hill on the other side of the valley, onto a plateau that presented life’s beauty so exquisitely it literally took my breath away. I was surrounded by lush green pasture as far as the eye could see, overlooking the sparkling crystal waters of Lake T, with magnificent cliffs rising from the waters edge high into the vivid blue sky. It was like looking upon heaven itself – a picture perfect snap shot of Gods creation in all its raw beauty. And I heard a voice;

“All this…I made for you”.

Father, forgive me for being so unappreciative of your wondrous works, and thank you for opening my blind eyes. Regardless of what we may be experiencing in our own little worlds, let’s not ever forget to just look around us and be thankful for the bigger picture. We can start by appreciating this beautiful world that God has given us!