If you obey the Lord your God: "Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field." Deuteronomy 28:2-3
 
You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:3
 
Even in the dark times that we all experience, God is watching over each one of us, his children. We know that we have many blessings from God--family, friends, resources, time, and talents. Sometimes, we feel as though we need more--more money, a bigger home, a new auto, a higher income, etc. God is knows that we are stewards of the gifts we receive from him. We are to use wisely the blessings we have to encourage others and to always remember that the gifts we have are really gifts from God. 
I am reminded of waiting for the mail person to deliver the free tricycle that Dad had earned buying seed and feed for our farm. My brother and I were about four and six years old. When the tricycle finally arrived, my brother and I were so excited. After a few rides the poorly made tricycle broke in half, thus ending our enjoyment of this free gift.
This never happens with our gifts from God. Our insight may miss the blessings found in what we have, but the gifts are there, awaiting our realization that the gifts that we have are really God's gifts out of his love for us. They are never-ending.  We need to always recognize these gifts and then be stewards of the gifts God has given to each one of us.
 
Dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Thank you for the gifts you bestow on each one of us. Help us to always understand that these gifts come from you, and that we need to use them wisely. Help us to always understand that we are steward of the gifts you give, and that we need to share generously what we have with others. Amen.
 
Florence Smallfield  
Ministries
Teaching Mission Party