We have been given the gift of life. This is twofold. As Christians, we have the gift of eternal life that is ours in Christ and our living soul. With thanksgiving and gratitude, I greatly cherish the gift of eternal life. However, I never thought of my life as being very valuable. Was it because of the rejection by society as a child because my dad was an alcoholic and we were poor? Or later, when my mother remarried, and my stepfather said each day, “Roy, you are nobody, and you never will be?” Or upon returning from Vietnam, we were met by protestors who mocked us for serving our Country? And later, the rejection I knew as a Christian?
To be clear, I am not suicidal, and I enjoy my life in Christ. But for some unconscious reason, I felt my life was unimportant. That is until something supernatural happened, leading to a powerful “awakening.”
I was getting my morning coffee when, in a split second, my life was in full review. Inner visions of my past streamed before me. Like ocean waves rolling gently to shore, I viewed them one by one. I saw my dysfunctional and traumatic childhood that robbed me of my youth. The house fire I miraculously escaped from as a teen. My tour walking point in Vietnam while navigating through enemy territory. The toll that extracted years of my life due to post-traumatic stress. The time I was homeless, wandering through life without a moral compass. The season of darkness when I suffered from deep depression. Time and time again, I saw how the hand of God miraculously kept me from certain death and destruction.
Overwhelmed, I wept with gratitude. I then cried out, “Thank you, Jesus, for my life. My life is a gift! I didn’t know it was so valuable. Forgive me for not appreciating and valuing my life. I am alive today because of your keeping power. I exist today because of your healing love, forgiveness, goodness, and mercy.”
Thoughts continued to roll through the front door of my mind. “Life is so precious. Why didn’t I see this before?” Again, in response to this insight, with adoring love, I proclaimed, “Father, I thank you for the gift of your Son and the gift of my life. I am fully alive today because of you. In turn, with thanksgiving, I give my life once again to you. “
I now pause throughout each day to say, “Thank you, Father, for my life.” Time stands still as I enjoy this gift of grace in the present moment. In doing this, I feel the life of His presence, which envelopes my entire being: the embrace of the Father’s love. God responds to a heart filled with appreciation as we adore Him with thanksgiving.
Your life is a gift from God, the testament of His amazing grace. You are no mistake; your life is precious to our heavenly Father and valuable to those who know and love you. Your life is to be shared with others. Especially with your friends and family, for we are God’s gift to one another.
God knows you by name. The life you were given at birth is yours to embrace, cherish, and value. You are here for a reason. Let your love and the light of your life so shine that others may behold the gift of God’s grace.
In His heart and mine with love – Roy Roden