Granted

I was watching a darling animated movie in which a sweet little girl wishes upon a star, hoping her prince would come so she could live happily ever after.

I'm glad these movie plots still exist to give our youth a realistic view of how things work.

We may not be wishing upon a star for princes (no judgment if you are), but we do look up and pray for our wishes to be granted.

In our hour of desperation, we cry out to God, hoping and wishing our prayers would be answered.

And when they are, we are so happy.

For a moment.

Then, far too often, we take for granted that wishful prayer that was granted.

We literally take for granted that which was granted.

Words are fun, aren't they?

Think about this.

Right now, at this very moment, as you are reading this, you are living the life you used to wish for.

Look around you.

Wow.

Who would have thought?

Look at the people you have that surround you with love!

Look at your beautiful home and the things that fill it with joy and beauty.

Look at the work you do and the care you give as you use the gifts and talents God gave you.

You are crushing it!

You have worked hard for this life.

God has helped you, and Jesus has taken on so much to relieve you of the burdens that held you down for years.

And now look at you.

So many wishes were granted, and so many prayers were answered.

We should be filled with such joy and gratitude.

But we're busy, and we are spoiled.

We focus on what's next or what's wrong and take for granted what's now and what's right.

Let's stop all the wishing and praying and pause to appreciate all we have right this very minute.

Take a look around.

Take your time.

Take it all in.

There are a lot of answered prayers and wishes granted up in here.

You're surrounded by them.

I feel a slight twinge of guilt for taking all this for granted.

Cuz it's all pretty amazing.

So, all you little stargazers out there, don't spend too much time wishing.  

Stand up, look around, and seek God; He will remind you of all the blessings in your wonderful life.

And then He will take you to places you've never dreamed up, and you will, after all, live happily ever after.

And we will try not to take for granted all the blessings God has granted us ( I had to do it just once more).

Thank You, God, for this beautiful life you have given us.

Psalm 118:21

I will give thanks to You, for You have heard and answered me;

And You have become my salvation [my Rescuer, my Savior]

John 15:7

If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation], by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.