Privileges from God

Surely your 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 (NIV)

As I said in today’s devotion, my family relies on me for help financially. It can be tempting to feel sorry for myself—but now I’m not. I have the good key now! Every time I’m tempted to think, “Lina, how pitiful you are,” I change my mind and say, “Lina, how blessed is your life!” The reason I say “I am blessed” is because I believe that I have received blessings and privileges from God. Like Joseph, God chose me! (See Genesis 45:7.) And God chose me because God trusted me. Also like Joseph, God has blessed me and surrounded me with goodness and love.

One of the blessings I have received from God is my family in Christ. God has put me in a Christian fellowship where I have met met good leaders and many good friends who love and care for me. For example, when I shared that my father was sick, they supported me and prayed for him. When my mother was hospitalized, they came to visit. One day at church a friend saw that I carried an old bag, so on my birthday he bought me a new one. He was embarrassed to give me the bag himself, so he asked another friend to give it to me. I knew the bag was expensive. My other friends gave me books and clothes. For Christmas, another gave me new shoes. It wasn’t their gifts that made me happy, but their attention and affection touched my heart deeply. Now I declare that I’m not pitiful, but very blessed!

In my Christian fellowship we have one leader and a few vice leaders called sponsors. In June I was chosen as a sponsor. At first I felt inadequate, but finally I accepted the responsibility. I thought, “That is privilege from God!” As a sponsor, I have the duty to bring a sermon every two months. In August I talked about “Bethesda,” and in October I talked about “Family in Christ.” On that day I told them how grateful I was because God put me in a very loving family. Thanks to God for my family. And thanks to God for my family in Christ.

Everyone has choice to feel pitiful or to feel grateful. Before, I chose the first option, but now I choose the second. Why? Because I have God! With God, I am sure that goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.