Editor’s Note: Throughout the years, TheReb has published thousands of articles, each challenging and encouraging Rebelutionaries to do hard things and seek God. But among these posts, some have especially resonated with you, our readers. So over the next few weeks and months, we’re bringing back these classics, reposting our most popular and well-read articles every Thursday. May they encourage and remind you of God’s unchanging truth!
Today I was endowed twenty-four hours as a gift from a loving creator.
1,440 minutes.
86,400 seconds.
Whichever way you want to look at it, it’s a pretty generous gift.
I then posed this question to myself. How did I spend it?
Like many of the previous days, I spent my moments of today worrying about the past and lamenting the future. I spent it wishing away what I now can’t change. I spent it stressing out over what I don’t control.
It’s sad to think I could have been marveling at the way God designed my body to fight sickness as I blew my raw nose for the umpteenth time (thank you, cold and flu season). I could have been appreciating the beauty of the sun as it shone its setting rays through the lingering leaves in our maple tree.
I could have been thanking God for his mercy that was all new, just this morning. I could have been dwelling on the hopefulness in his promise of sanctification. However, I was too worried about the mistakes I made yesterday to be thankful for today.
I find that to be a problem in my life.
Not to say that we shouldn’t learn from the past. We should. And should we not plan for the future? Of course we should!
However, I have made my yesterdays and tomorrows an idol that was robbing me of joy, and that is wrong. These idols are stunting gratitude in my life.
I have held onto things that God has not intended for me to carry. I was taking up the “weights” the author of Hebrews talks about when I have been called to lay them aside (Hebrews 12:1).
Ultimately, I was dwelling on ME sinning instead of GOD forgiving.
I have feared things that God has told me not to worry over. Where I have been told to go to my Father and plead with him for my future, I have blatantly ignored him. Where he has promised peace, I have been a slave to worry (Philippians 4:6-7).
I think I’m ready to change that. I’m ready to be grateful for the things I am blessed with today.
I’m ready to be thankful for boxes of tissues. You know, the kind with the lotion in them? Tissues are definitely a blessing today.
I’m ready to be thankful for my home, and the warmth and comfort I find within the walls.
I’m ready to be thankful for the pumpkin spice candle that casts eerie shadows on the kitchen wall and permeates the rest of the house with seasonal smells.
Most importantly though, I’m ready to be thankful for God’s enduring promises.
As for yesterday, he has promised forgiveness for all my sins (1 John 1:9). Concerning tomorrow, I know that he holds the future in his all-powerful, yet caring hands. I don’t have to be afraid because he is with me (Isaiah 41:10).
That is why I am thankful for this day.
Twenty-four hours.
1,440 minutes.
86,400 seconds.
I’m not promised another. Neither are you.
With that in mind, I want to ask you this. Are you grateful for today?
Please, friend. Don’t waste it.
A beautiful and brilliant piece, Alathia. It was just the reminder I needed today (especially as I’m blowing my own nose for the umpteenth time!). Thank you.
Jaquelle, your kind words mean so much to me. Thank you for reading, and feel better soon, friend!
Aw, this is so convicting and so well written! And I know what you mean about the joys of cold and flu season 🙄
Thank you so much, Hailey!
Thank you for the reminder that we all need. This was written so well.
You’re more than welcome. Thanks for reading, Brock!
“I’m ready to be thankful for God’s enduring promises…” Wow, powerful words!!
Beautiful article 🙂 Need that reminder today!!
-Hayley
agirlsavedbygodsgrace.wordpress.com
Thank you for reading, Hayley!
Hmm, this one hurts a bit, but its so good. Thank you for writing it, this will be really helpful, I think
You’re so welcome, Okie Gal. It still hurts for me too. It’s not always easy to be grateful, is it? I’m glad if this was any encouragement to you. Thanks for reading!
No, but this is a huge encouragement! Thank you! 😊
I’m so glad, Okie Gal. 🙂
You can never be reminded of these truths too often, ay?
Nope. And I NEED to be reminded too, thankfully there’s stuff like this and my church is constantly helping me.
Wow. This really puts things into perspective, doesn’t it? Thank you, Alathia.
My pleasure, Trent. 🙂
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Ah yes, the wonderful season of sickness. I could definitely relate to that this past weekend. This morning I tried to sing along with the music I was enjoying, and realized I sound like a dying frog. -_- What a great challenge though! Whenever I’m sick or feeling crummy (which is quite often…) I tend to pretend as if it’s okay to just put off the whole gratefulness and using time wisely thing until I feel better. God never said to just live for him when I feel like it and take breaks when necessary. We should honor him in all that we do, and that includes our attitude and use of time even when we don’t feel good. Thanks for reminding me of that 🙂
Haha yup, dying frog… So accurate lol! I was trying to sing in church on Sunday, and I was like, “Yeah no. this isn’t working.” XD
You’re welcome. Truly, this article was a pleasure to write. Thanks for reading! 🙂
Thank you for writing this Haylie! It was so encouraging (:
I’m so glad to hear that, Haven! Thank you for reading 😉
You have a great way with words! I always love your articles
That is so encouraging to me. Thank you for your kind words!
Thanks for this article! Oh, and do your know the song 86400 seconds by Matthew West?
Oooh no, I haven’t heard it, but i do enjoy some other songs by Matthew West! I’ll be sure to check it out. Thanks, Jojo! 🙂
Sorry! My bad. It’s actually called “Live Forever”. 🙂
No worries! I found it anyways 😉
Its a GREAT article, I was really encouraged. It is sometimes hard to be thankful for even the littlest of things.
So glad it could be an encouragement to you. Thank you for reading, Lydia!
Awesome article, Haylie! And a really good reminder…
Thanks, Jo! It’s something that I am constantly fighting to remember myself.
That`s a wonderful reminder…. even when I don’t like to admit it. After all, we usually forget what a truly beautiful, wonderful gift He gives us day by day. To be honest, I would love to spend my days messing around on the Internet…..but what does that give me? Five-second memories of funny YouTube videos or maybe a one-time laugh at some project gone wrong……. and what else? Certiantly nothing that is going to have any meaning a week from now–or even be remembered tomorrow. As annoying and hard as it may seem, this article is a wonderful reminder that we need to spend our God-given days to glorify Him; whether that be reading our Bibles, hosting a fundraiser…….or even playing with our annoying little siblings so Mom can take a much needed nap.
Thank you so much for this article, Alathia!
(P.S.; You have a beautiful name!)
Good thoughts, Angela. Thank you for taking the time to read it, I really appreciate it! And thank you for the compliment on my name as well 😉
Great article! I’ve been struggling with not just wasting time on YouTube so this was a nice reminder. Thanks for taking the time to write this.
My pleasure. Thanks for reading, Cora! 🙂