God’s Wonderful Blessings   

One afternoon a shopper at the local mall felt the need for a coffee break.  She bought herself a little bag of cookies and put them in her shopping bag.  After purchasing a cup of coffee, she found a place to sit at one of the crowded tables.  Taking the lid off her coffee and taking out a magazine, she began to sip her coffee and read.  Across the table from her a man sat reading a newspaper.
After a minute or two she reached out and took a cookie.  As she did, the man seated across the table reached out and took one too.  This put her off, but she did not say anything.  A few moments later she took another cookie.  Once again the man did so too.  Now she was getting a bit upset, but still she did not say anything.
After having a couple of sips of coffee, she once again took another cookie.  So did the man.  She was really upset by this, especially since now only one cookie was left.  Apparently the man also realized that only one cookie was left.  Before she could say anything he took it, broke it in half, offered half to her, and proceeded to eat the other half himself.  Then he smiled at her, and putting the paper under his arm, he rose and walked off.
Was she steamed!  Her coffee break ruined, already thinking ahead of how she would tell this offense to her family, she folded her magazine, opened her shopping bag, and there discovered her own unopened bag of cookies.
I like that story.  It makes us think about how well God treats us even when perhaps we’re not treating Him so well.  Over and over we are blessed by the hand of God, but perhaps we fail to remember that every good thing comes from Him, not from our own doing or power.
In Deuteronomy chapter 8, Moses tells the people of Israel how they will prosper in the promised land that they are about to enter.  After so many years of slavery and then wandering in the wilderness, they will eat their fill, they will have fine houses and large herds, and their silver and gold will multiply.  
Then, in verses 17-18, Moses said: Do not say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my own hand made me this wealth.”  But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to get wealth, so that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your ancestors, and as He is swearing to you this day.
In the midst of the challenges we face in this world, in the midst of whatever troubles may linger, let us always remember that God our Father loves us so very much.  He continually seeks to bring about what is best for us.  We are blessed in so many ways.

Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, And His faithfulness to all generations (Psalm 100:3-5).

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