Never alone

I love it when I get to wake up earlier than everyone else in the house so I can spend some quiet moments with my God. He always has incredible things to teach me and today was no different. As I sat quietly on the couch looking outside the window, He revealed some important truths to me. I had just read Mark 4:35-41 where it talks about Jesus calming the storm. Now, how many times have I read this story? Most of us know this story by heart and many of us have learned about it since we were kids. But just as anything else in the Bible, there are always new things to learn and discover.

So this is how the story goes...

Jesus is tired after a long day of teaching. He had been teaching his disciples and a large crowd of listeners and in the evening He suggested that He and his 12 disciples get in the boat and cross the lake to the other side. They leave the crowd behind and step into the boat. It's a calm evening as they quietly cross the waters of the lake. Jesus is tired and lays down to sleep in the stern. While He was sleeping a big storm comes up and the situation gets quite serious. The disciples try everything to keep the boat and everyone safe, but all in vain and they were getting desperate. The storm is just too big for them! They finally remembered Jesus who was still sleeping and quickly wake Him up: "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" Mark 4:38

Don't you care? Jesus! We are in the middle of a storm. We are all about to drown in this sea of problems. The waves are too big and water is getting into the boat. Jesus, don't you care? We can't do it on our own anymore! We've tried! Trials and temptations are all around us and we just can't make it! Don't you care? How can you just lay there sleeping?

Jesus gets up and commands the storm to stay still and lovingly rebukes His disciples: "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" vs. 40

Why are you so afraid? We've been together all this time and you still don't trust in me? I'm in the boat with you. I'm going through the storm with you. Is your faith so small that all I can do is calm the storm? Why not ride the storm together? It's ok, I'm here. I'm not leaving you. I do care...more than you'll ever know...

As I read the words of this story, I could so see myself in those scared disciples. How many times have I gone through difficulties and after trying everything and realizing that I just can't do it, I finally turn to God, not to ask Him for help, but to complain that He must not care about me. Does this sound familiar to you too? We easily tend to ask the question "why? Why me?" And if God is so loving, then why does He allow us to go through such difficult things? Doesn't He care?

Years ago I read the story of a young man who had gotten cancer. The tittle of the story was "Faith Enough Not to be Healed." You can read it here. As I read his experience, I had to agree that it required a lot more faith for him to go through all he was going through and remain trusting in God, than to have his cancer simply cured. It does take more faith to go through a trial and remain faithful than to have the trial removed, and that's why Jesus asked His disciples "Do you still have no faith?"

Jesus promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Even if our own mother forgets us, and that's pretty difficult to happen, Jesus will never forget us. He loves us more than anyone else in this world. He knows we live in a difficult place, He knows we don't like to suffer. He didn't create us to suffer. That's why the Bible is full of promises for us during trials. God is always near us, and when we are going through problems, we can be sure that He is going through them with us. He's in the boat too!

So next time you are going through a difficult time, and you may be going through one right now, hold on to the boat and rest assured that Jesus is inside the boat with you. And if you start getting afraid ask Him to help you stay calm. Whatever He thinks is best for you, one thing is for sure. If you trust in Him, He will not only calm you, but will also ride the storm with you for He cares for you more than you'll ever know. The waves may be huge, the thunder loud, and water may be even getting inside the boat, but everything will be ok because He's with you. Just trust. Hold on! And at the end of the storm you'll be able to say like king David, who walked with God through the valley of the shadow of death ,"Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23:6

 

http://lisadelay.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Ludolf_-_Christ_in_the_Storm_on_the_Sea_of_Galilee_-_16951.jpg

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me."

Psalm 23:4

 "I sought the Lord and He answered me. He delivered me from all my fears."

Psalm 34:4

To a Wonderful Woman

God has placed some incredible people in my life, but there’s one in particular that has had a lasting influence in my existence from an early age. This summer I got to spend a few weeks with her, and what a remarkable woman she is.

I don’t know if it is because I’m older or because I'm a mother, if it is because of where God has brought me in my walk with Him, or maybe a combination of all, but this time I saw her with different eyes. We've been together a lot, but this time it was different, and I truly enjoyed what I saw. Let me tell you a little about her.

She has the most beautiful smile. Her face lights up when she sees me and it makes me feel happy. I just have to smile back. Her smile transmits love and joy, and through her eyes I can see how much she cares.

She’s humble. She doesn’t exalt herself. She wants others to feel their best. And when I’m with her, I do feel my best and I can’t stop sharing how wonderful she is. She’s also very generous, no strings attached. She gives from her heart. She would give me the world if I needed it. She likes to help, and loves to surprise me with little things and sometimes with big things. I know she wants the best for me.

She’s pure. She focuses on the future and where God is taking us. She really doesn’t care about the past, unless it brings glory to God. She looks at the good in people and there’s always something good to find. When I’m with her I feel motivated to be even better. She’s such and encouragement.

She’s very talented and quite the artist. If she doesn’t know how to do something, she’ll figure it out and learn what she needs to learn. She’s an amazing musician. She plays her piano with passion and the simplest piece of music becomes a masterpiece under her talented fingers. I could listen her play for hours!

She loves her husband and her children. Her grandchildren are a crown in her head and  she loves them with all her heart. She truly enjoys spending time with them, reading, playing, and listening to them. There’s just something about grandparents and their grandchildren. Some day I’ll figure that out.

One thing that I’ve always admired in her, is her ability to make us talk and share. I think it may be because she’s a great listener, but I truly enjoy our conversations, and this past summer we got to spend hours and hours talking. And our conversations are always so interesting. Love it!

Of all the wonderful things I saw in her, I always ended up saying the same thing: Jesus shines through her! I can see that she's been spending time with her Savior because I see Him in her. The Bible says that by beholding we become transformed, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that she has been beholding Christ!

This remarkable woman is the one God gave me as my mother, one of the greatest blessings in my life and what a role model she is to me. I too want to be an encouragement to others and I want them to feel their best when they are with me. I want to only see the good in people. I want to be humble and pure. But most of all, I want to reflect Jesus in everything I say and everything I do. I want people to look at me and see Jesus. I want my life to glorify God just like my mom’s life does.

Right now we live worlds apart. There is a big ocean separating us and we get to see each other maybe once a year. Thankfully the internet keeps us in touch daily, but I miss her hugs, her warmth, shopping and trying new recipes together, or thinking of new and better ways to decorate my house. I miss our cello-piano duets. I miss seeing her playing with my son or sitting at my desk chatting with my siblings on the computer. I miss going for walks with her or just sit on the deck chatting while trying to avoid the mosquitoes. I miss walking her to her cabin every evening and I miss seeing her smile every morning when I come downstairs. I miss not having her beside me in the car when we were going somewhere. How I miss her...

You know, the prophet John wrote Revelation when he was exiled to the island of Patmos, and in a vision that God gave him about the new Heaven and the new earth, he noticed that there was no sea. ( Revelation 21:1) Now I love the ocean, but that ocean separates me from the woman I love the most on this earth, so this promise is very dear to me.

I just can’t wait for that day when we’ll walk through the gates of our heavenly home and I’ll get to spend eternity close to this wonderful woman whom God placed in my life.

                 Happy birthday mama. I love you with all my heart!

"Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:  

'Many women do noble things but you surpass them all.' 

 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.  

Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

Proverbs 31:28-31

A purpose for life.

What’s the purpose of life? Have you thought of it? Is this all there is to life? The day-to-day routine, every day, every year of our lives? We keep doing the same things every day with small variances here and there. Once in a while we try new things, go on a vacation, but it’s pretty much the same every day.

The other day I was driving out of the post office’s parking lot and had to stop for a lady to cross to her car. I don’t know how old she was. She had long gray hair, was wearing baggy pants with a dark t-shirt, and had tennis shoes on. Her shoulders were curved and her face was marked with wrinkles and worry. I don’t think she looked the way she did because she was old. She didn’t seem very old. I think she looked the way she did because she was weary. I may be wrong, but I believe body language speaks volumes. I looked at her and thought about her life. What was it about her life that made her stop taking care of herself? Was it because she didn’t care or was it because she was too tired to care?

What is the purpose of life? Have you thought of it? Why are you here? And why do you do the things you do?

The truth is, if it weren’t for Christ, there would be no purpose!

Often I think of what this world would’ve been if God didn’t have a plan for our salvation, or if Jesus had ran away from the cross. Can you imagine the world we would’ve lived in? We would have been at the complete mercy of satan and I have a feeling my generation would’ve never existed because we would all be dead long ago. Satan only brings suffering and destruction. This earth would be long gone.

But God had a plan. We were His children, His creation. He wouldn’t just lets us go. He wanted back what was His. So He had a plan. Sin came with consequences, eternal consequences, so Christ was going to take that punishment for us. Only someone without sin could do that, and no human being is without sin. We are all born with a natural tendency to separate ourselves from God. So Jesus took our place.

Lovingly and willingly, Jesus laid down on that cross, opened his arms, and allowed the Roman soldiers to nail his hands and feet to the cross. He could’ve have very well escaped that horrible and unjust torture. He could’ve sent a legion of angels to kill everyone involved in his death. But His love for us was so great that He stayed on that cross.

But what does all of this have to do with the purpose of life? Well...everything!

Without Jesus’ death, this life would be it. We would live it, die, and that’s it! Nothing more. Only death...eternal death. We would have a meaningless existence for I don’t know how long and then poof! Gone!

But with Jesus’ sacrifice, this life is just a stepping stone into a better one. A MUCH better one! I can live this life knowing that this is not it. I may still die, but if I accept that immense love, my death won’t be eternal. Soon, in His perfect time, Jesus will come and call all His family to move home with Him. Those who had died and those who are still alive.

Isn’t that great?

And even here on earth we can live with the joy, peace, and comfort of knowing that this is not it! We may have trials, problems, suffering, sickness, but we know that this is not it. The pain is momentarily and daily we are getting ready for our home in Heaven. Jesus overcame the world and came to give us abundant life in Him. And as I go through life here on earth, I can share with others God’s immense love, His plan to rescue us from the devil, and the new life He has in store for us. An eternal life of heavenly bliss!

"I have come that you may have life, and have abundant life!"

John 10:10

" Then I saw a 'new heaven and a new earth', for the first heaven and first earth had passed away. God's dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." 

Revelation 21:1,3,4

Are you homesick yet?

Winter is over here in Alaska! Temperatures have gone up and the snow is pretty much gone. Roads are dry and the roofs of the houses are cleared from snow. I don't need my heavy jacket anymore, and boots for -40F have been put away till next winter. For several weeks now I've been making plans for gardening and landscaping and last week we planted vegetable seeds for the garden.  I'm just so excited about Spring!

And I'm not the only one. It's the conversation in pretty much every one's mouths. We all talk about it and exchange gardening ideas and tips. I've been reading about all the plants that grow successfully in the far north so I won't waste my time on vegetables that don't really grow up here. I'm so excited about the Spring that I can hardly contain myself. I think about it, I dream about it, I learn about it and talk about it. I just can't wait to start getting my hands on the dirt and stay until the late hours of the day playing in it. How wonderful that this far north, in the Summer, the sun pretty much doesn't set. This way I have plenty of daylight to do all I want to do. I may not even sleep this summer! It's going to be wonderful!

Soon there will be flowers and butterflies every where. The trees will be covered with leaves and days will be long and warm. We'll get to ride our bikes, go for long hikes, and explore with freedom the beautiful nature that surrounds us. We'll get to see again the robins, geese and cranes that had migrated away for the winter, and the town will be filled with tourists discovering the mysteries of the north. Love it!

Incredible how God many times uses nature to speak to us and to teach us valuable lessons. If I feel like this about Spring, how should I feel about Heaven? Shouldn't I be so excited about a future life without any problems, without any suffering? Shouldn't I be looking forward to my Heavenly Home so much that I think about it, dream about it, learn more about it, and talk about it?

How sad to think that so many times the cares of this life keep our minds away from what's really important. We are distracted with so many things. Have you noticed how life is just getting busier and busier? We spend our days working and making sure we get things done only to come home at night exhausted from all the toil. Then all we want to do is to veg out in front of the TV until we are so sleepy we go straight to bed. And the next day we do it all over again. And as this goes on day after day, we start loosing focus of God and His eternal reward and the excitement of Heaven goes away. We become comfortable just where we are. Like a friend of mine was telling me this week: Heaven is my Home, but I'm not homesick yet. 

How crazy is that! Life on this earth being good enough that we aren't homesick yet. Maybe we just forgot how wonderful Home truly is.  Why don't we take a limited-by-my imagination trip there?

First of all Jesus! We will be with Jesus! I don't even know how I'm going to react when I first see Him. Heaven is my home because of Him!

We'll get to build our own houses. I'll build mine near the beach by a waterfall. In fact, the waterfall will be inside the house! There will be no walls between the kitchen and the incredible garden and orchard I'm going to plant. Maybe I won't need a kitchen. Can you imagine that you'll get to design, build, and decorate your own home? And plant your own garden? (See Isaiah 65:21) Precious stones and precious metals will adorn the main city. The pavement in Heaven is the purest gold! We'll get to explore the forest and woods and not worry if a bear or lion is going to show up and attack us. In fact, the bear and the lion will explore the forests with us!

We will enjoy trouble free life. Parents will get to enjoy their children without worrying about sickness, bullying, or trips to the ER for broken limbs. Raising children in a perfect world...wow! We will also experience relationships like God intended them to be. If there is marriage in Heaven can you imagine how wonderful it will be? We'll get to experience in its fullness the most intimate relationship God has given to humankind. And we won't have to struggle with having to loose weight, with not having a job and not knowing what to eat. There will always be plenty of the best food ever! I'll get to eat fresh figs to my heart's content! We will have everything we need plus more.

I believe we will be forever learning new things about the infinite universe that surrounds us. We'll get to use to full capacity our perfect minds and perfect bodies. There will be no more wrinkles, no more gray hairs, no more cancer or diabetes nor amputations. No more death! No more sin!!

And we will get to understand even more the amazing plan of salvation and fully comprehend the incredible sacrifice that was made so we could have eternal life. And because of that and because of God's love for us, we will get to praise and love Him throughout eternity!

Talking about it gets me so excited! It's going to be so wonderful. I'll get to be with my daddy again and so many other loved ones who have died, never to separate again. I can't wait!

Of course Heaven is much better than I can imagine. God says in His word that we have no idea about the things He has prepared for us. He's got a surprise for us and He knows we are going to like it! Doesn't that sound wonderful? I really want to be there, what about you?

" What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived - these things God has prepared for those who love Him."

I Corinthians 2:9

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth... God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning, or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Revelation 21:1,4

"Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God himself will be with them and be their God."

Revelation 21: 3

Moving my Mt. McKinley

One of the roads I travel often goes up and down a hill. As I get to the top, if it's a clear day, I can see in the distance the Alaska Range with its beautiful, snow capped tall mountains that extend through the horizon. This morning was one of those clear days. As I was nearing the top of the hill I was wondering if I would be able to see the range. Sure enough, down in the distance, the mountains rose majestically. And then, just to the side, as I started going down the hill I could see it: Mt. McKinley. At more than 20 thousand feet high, it is the highest mountain in North America and it easily rises above all the other mountains of the Alaska Range. It is impressive!

As I contemplated the beautiful scene in front of me, I compared Mt. McKinley to all my problems. At the moment they seem huge and even though God has been giving me peace and strength, I am very well aware of what's going on in my life. But just as I was comparing that huge mountain to my trials, God brought to my mind that Jesus had once said that if I have faith like a mustard seed I can say to a mountain to move and it will move ( Matthew 17:20.) So right there and then I told my big mountain of problems and trials to move out of my way and then I rejoiced in the fact that God had honored my little mustard seed size faith.

Notice how the Bible text doesn't say that the mountain will disappear. It says that it will move from here to there. What I've just learned is that asking God to move the mountain is not asking God to make my trials go away, but asking that my trials won't get on my way. As the big mountain moves, I have a clear path before me with no distractions, no obstacles, no worries. God is in control and taking care of it all for me.

Last night before going to sleep I was telling God that a small part of me really wanted to complain about everything that is going on, but at the same time how could I when He's been so Wonderful in spite of it all? He then led me to read Psalm 29.

"Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name. The voice of the Lord is powerful, majestic. His voice breaks the cedars. The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning and shakes the desert. 

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood. 

The Lord is enthroned as King forever."

As I read these words I didn't quite understand how this was the comfort I was needing, although I did acknowledge that God is all powerful and above everything. Maybe God was helping me understand that He's bigger than my trials?

But then the last verse brought it all home.

" The Lord gives strength to His people; 

the Lord blesses His people with peace." 

Psalm 29:11

This God who is bigger than anything, who is powerful to shake the deserts and make flashes of lightning with His voice; the God who sits in His throne as King forever, is the same God who gives me strength and blesses me with peace.What a wonderful promise God gave me last night.

And this promise is for you too. How's your life? Are your problems becoming too overwhelming?  Maybe there is sickness in your family, or maybe heartache. Maybe your children are not making the wisest decisions. Are you having financial difficulties? Is your marriage in distress? Or maybe you're having a difficult time with school or work. Are there broken relationships or misunderstandings in your life? How big is your mountain? Is it getting bigger and bigger? However big, God wants to remove it out of your way and give you a smooth path in front of you. He also promises you strength and peace. Hold on to those promises. Trouble free eternal life is just around the corner!

Photo by Bill Kasper

"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Matthew 17:20

" The Lord gives strength to His people; 

the Lord blesses His people with peace." 

Psalm 29:11

A follower

Someone once told me that Alaska is the most exotic place in the world. I had to ponder that for a while as my idea of exotic involves mostly white sandy beaches, palm trees, nice blue ocean water, and tropical fruit. I do have to admit though that Alaska is one of the most beautiful and unexpected places I've seen.

One of the interesting things about Alaska is its seasons. Winters are long, cold and dark. Spring and Summers are bright and full of activity. Falls are gorgeous but short.

As I was driving through town yesterday and admiring the gorgeous sunshine, I started to think about the effects of the sun on people. One more winter is slowly but surely coming to an end here in the lands of the north. The dark and short days are behind, days are getting longer and the sun shines so beautifully that sometimes I forget it's still winter. All of a sudden I have more energy and I wake up happier as the sun shines through the windows. I feel myself more active and I've been dreaming about all the flowers and vegetables I'm going to plant in my garden. I don't feel as sluggish and blah as I felt a couple of months ago when the sun was out for about 3 hours at a time. And with each passing day, as the sun shines more and more, I feel myself getting exited about Spring and all the wonderful things that come with it! This morning I even sat outside, winter gear on, just soaking up the sun. Oh how I love sunshine! It truly warms not only my body but also my soul!

What a beautiful object lesson from nature of God's influence in our lives. The Bible says that God is light and that in Him there is no darkness (I John 1:5). Jesus said that He is the light of the world (John 8:12). And He adds that if we follow Him we will never walk in darkness. God turns our darkness into light (II Samuel 22:29.) If experiencing the light of the sun has such an impact on my day to day, imagine how much more impact will the Son of God have in my life! Without Him my life has no purpose. I'm just living my day to day without any hope for the future. Without God in my life I have to endure my struggles on my own or rely on other unreliable human beings. Without God I have to aimless look for some happiness in my existence which is so conditional on circumstances. 

But with God in my life...

With God I can do all things because He gives me strength! With Him I can have a peace that surpasses all understanding. With God I have hope for the future! I'll still have problems, He did not promise a problem free life in this sinful world, but He's overcome the world. All these problems are temporary and I can have the assurance that in Him I'll come out of trials victorious! With God I have joy in my heart, even when things are going crazy around me. How wonderful!

I was reading Matthew 13 this week and verses 14 and 15 got my attention. As Jesus was explaining to His disciples why He spoke in parables, He also said that if people could see and  understand with their hearts what they were seeing and hearing, then they would turn and Christ would heal them. How incredible is the power of God in our lives! If we give Him a chance to work in us, we can't help but be transformed. Just take for example William Miller, a firm atheist, who decided to read the Bible so he could prove the Christians wrong. What a powerful witness for Christ He became as he learned of God's immense love for him. And what about Paul who went from persecuting to loving. What a champion for the truth he became. And how many more stories in millions of people around the world are written in the hearts as a witness of God's amazing and powerful influence in their lives!

If you haven't become a Christ follower yet I encourage you to give Him a chance. Tell Him that you want to know what it is to have Him in your life. Tell Him you want to know what He can do in you and to help you see what He wants you to see. Allow God to shine on you more and more. I promise you'll be in for THE experience of your life! The transformation in you will be incredible. I know that from my own experience. Being a God follower has been the greatest thing ever! Why don't you experience for yourself what it is to follow God? Starting right now...

" I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

John 8:12

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned."

Isaiah 9:2

Bragg Liquid Aminos

Love, sometimes, can manifest itself in the most unexpected ways. A beautiful sunset that fills the sky with glorious colors, the smile of your child, the embrace of your spouse, the affirmation of a parent, the rainbow, beautiful flowers, they can all make you know that you are loved by someone. But this week I experienced something different. This week, love manifested itself to me in the form of... soy sauce alternative! Allow me to explain.


If you've been reading my latest posts you'll know that I've been going, or growing, through some difficult times. And trials are never easy. The only things that come easily to me during trials are complaining and stress! I naturally tend to focus on the negative which can be very distressing.


I was noticing the heavy weight on my shoulders and told God that I needed Him to remove this load I had put on myself. So God placed 2 special friends on my path who patiently and lovingly listened as I shared some of the things I was going through. And later that day I was able to continue sharing my thoughts with my husband. Talking really helped me put things into perspective and the next day I felt like a different person. I apologized to God for all my complaining and for focusing on the negative when, in spite of the trials, He's been showering me with blessings every day. Suddenly, I felt the load lift off my shoulders and I just knew Jesus had placed it on His.


Now back to the soy sauce alternative.


I have been busily learning new recipes and many of them call for soy sauce. I've been trying to cook healthier so I bought a low sodium soy sauce. For some reason, the first time I was going to use the new bottle, I decided to read the ingredients. I had never done that before so imagine my surprise when I found out that one of the ingredients was alcohol! Now I know the alcohol evaporates with cooking, but I really prefer not use any of it any where, so I started researching and learned that not all soy sauce contains alcohol. I also read about Bragg Liquid Aminos, a healthy soy sauce alternative. I went to two grocery stores in town, but didn't find any for sale. I'm pretty sure the health food store sells it, but I'll have to leave an arm there as payment. I kind of need my arm so I tried to find a regular soy sauce with no alcohol as an ingredient.


The morning God had taken my heavy load off my shoulders I went grocery shopping. I was feeling content and God and I kept talking about all the amazing things He's been doing in my life. As I was finishing shopping I remembered the soy sauce. I went back to the health food section of the local supermarket and the very first thing I see there, on the bottom shelf, was a big bottle of Bragg Liquid Aminos!


A big, I mean... a HUGE smile installed itself on my face as I happily picked up a bottle to bring home. And I didn't even have to leave any body parts as payment! If someone was watching me, I'm thinking they went back to that shelf to see what was the source of such joy. The thing is that that morning, that bottle of Bragg Liquid Aminos was a little token of God's love for me as He knew I really wanted it. He was telling me, that in spite of all the things I've been going through, in spite of all my complaining, I mattered to Him so much that even the little things, my little things, are important to Him. Isn't that wonderful? I really felt loved by God!


If you have a heavy load on your shoulders I want to encourage you to give it to God. Stop focusing on the negatives of life. Stop looking at the problems and how they may affect your future. Give that all to God. And as you get that load off, I challenge you to start looking at the blessings that God bestows upon you every single day and see how many tokens of God's love you find. And remember that God's love can manifest itself in a very unexpected way. It could even be as a bottle of Bragg Liquid Aminos. 

"So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever."

2 Corinthians 4:18