A New Day: Gifts of Opportunities

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17 ESV

As we sip morning coffee and scroll through news and emails, most of us check a weather forecast to prepare for the day. Will the rain affect my plans?  Maybe I’ll carry an umbrella for insurance. What do I wear?

In South Carolina, August and September weather is unpredictable. One day there’s a drop in temperature and we make homemade soup. The next day we head out for a morning walk wearing sunglasses and carrying a water bottle. Regardless of temperature or what’s on our calendar, the next waking hours, are gifts.

Do you have a list—”To Do’s” -the must do’s and “want to do’s” for the day? Some items are predictable and necessary; others may be optional and selective. Last week, I read an article about opportunities, and it led me to see beyond the weather forecast and my checklist.

It also led me to think about gifts disguised as opportunities and unwelcome experiences.

On any day, we may be faced with:

• Uncertainty that gives us the opportunity to rest in the security that God sees and knows what I don’t.
• Disappointment, but I can grab on to the  assurance God knows my sadness and has His best planned for me.
• Challenges and the opportunity to move with perseverance and creativity.
• Unfamiliar tasks and places that allow us to implement the gift of courage.
• Pain, loneliness, and grief where I receive the gift of God’s comfort.
• Accomplishments and with them the opportunity to be humble, remembering the Source of our abilities.
• Misunderstanding that leads us to pray for clarity, wisdom, and forgiveness.
• Enjoyment where we can be thankful knowing recreation and friendships are not gifts to take for granted.
• Material wealth that offers the opportunity to use resources wisely and generously.
• Activities that use the gifts of mental and physical health to participate
• Inconveniences that stretch me or take me away from my comfort zone.

Would you consider any of those as gifts or opportunities ? Regardless of chilly weather, brilliant sunshine, or our calendar, with a different perspective, let’s work through our gift list wisely as we consider: 

L Looking to God as the giver of our gifts

I  Investment in our days so we make a difference

S Seeking wisdom to prioritize

T Thankfulness for today’s opportunities and the deeper meaning they hold

As you write your “To Do” list, do you see a change of perspective? What’s beyond the printed words on your list that are gifts of opportunities to you? Share on X

Share your thoughts and discoveries with us.

Don’t forget the opportunities to gift our students with our prayers.  Back to School prayers are a free download on this site by going to the Prayer Guides.