DAY 74 IN THE 91-DAY NEW HABIT CHALLENGE! #ProverbsChallenge


Proverbs 15--Have you heard the story about the father who gave one child a bunch of Christmas gifts and the other child just one gift.

The first child opens all the gifts and then complains that she didn't receive what she really wanted.

The other child opens the one gift and finds a pile of manure. She jumps for joy and thanks her daddy.

When he asks why she's so happy over a box of poop, she exclaims, "There must be a pony somewhere!"

I think this story was intended as a lesson in the difference between pessimism and optimism. But I think it's more.

The "optimistic" child must have had faith in her father to believe that he wouldn't intentionally disappoint her. The "pessimistic" child couldn't see past her own desire to the generosity of her father.

So what can we learn from this strange story?

For me, when I hyper focus on what I think I need or want, I miss out on the blessings all around me. I may be focused on my circumstances rather than lifting my eyes to my Heavenly Abba who loves me deeply. My well-being is safe in His Hands. There's a feast waiting for me, if I look past the challenge to Him.

When we encounter a big pile of poo in our life, do we look for the "pony" or turn up our noses in distrust? Do we trust our Daddy enough to look past those stinky things happening to us to the reality of knowing He has good gifts and blessings behind, in, around, or even with the bad?

Can we redirect our hearts to that trusting cheerful place when we're presented with challenges? Can we see the feast waiting for us?

May we have a continual feast, my friends.

Proverbs 15:15--All the days of the afflicted are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast. Tree of Life Bible Society Tree of Life Version - TLV
#tlvbible #tlvproverbs

[WATCH Tree of Life Bible Society's CEO, Daniah Greenberg and me, Terri Gillespie dig a little deeper with this proverb. Check us out at Tree of Life Bible Society, Monday through Friday, LIVE at 8:30am EST. Watch previous episodes there as well. Stay wise, my friends!]

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