A Heart that Overflows

After having been involved in an automobile accident that resulted in our car being damaged beyond repair, we were sitting at the desk of a salesman in a car dealership. He had just told us that, remarkably, and in our minds, miraculously, the replacement vehicle that we were looking for was already on order and would arrive in a couple of weeks, rather than a few months like we were expecting.

“Thank you, Jesus!” was my response! Needless to say, it took the salesman a little off guard. I am sure it was not what he usually heard in his office. But it had just come out. I was so aware that God was at work in this challenging situation that it was the first thing that came to my mind. God had ordered the car months before I even had my accident.

It had been a difficult couple of weeks since the accident, but through it all, I had seen God’s handprint. He had protected me from serious injury in spite of the amount of damage to the vehicles involved. He had provided a car to drive through a generous friend who lived close by. Together, my husband and I repeatedly gave thanks in the midst of the circumstances in which we found ourselves.

And so that day, my heart literally just spilled over with thanks! It reminded me of the verse in James 3:10, 11: "Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?"

Imagine your life as a cup that is full of liquid that spills over the edge when it is jostled. What is the nature of the liquid that comes out? Is your heart full of fear and anger and the first words out of your mouth reflect that? Or is your heart full of thankfulness, a heart that gives thanks in all circumstances, and what spills out is more of the same?

A heart that gives thanks is cultivated in the good times of our lives and only then can it spill out that same thanksgiving in the challenges that we encounter. What is your heart overflowing with today?

Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you that you are always with me and you are true to your promise to never leave me nor forsake me. Because of that, I can see your handprint on every area of my life. Help me to see things to be thankful for throughout today and every day. Give me a heart that overflows with thanksgiving. Amen.

Throughout This Day: Begin to cultivate an attitude of gratitude today. Look for three things that you are thankful for, and write them down. By doing this daily, you too can have a heart that overflows with thankfulness.