Wherever We Land

The greatest gift I ever received wasn’t wrapped in shimmering paper or tied with a perfect bow. It wasn’t something I could hold in my hands or put on display.  It was far more profound, more precious, and more enduring.  The greatest gift I ever received was the gift of life itself.

I remember, as a child, marveling at the intricate workings of a flower, the delicate dance of a butterfly, the firmament in the night sky speckled with countless stars.  Even then, a sense of awe filled me.  I knew, deep in my heart, that this incredible world, and my place within it, was a miracle.

As I’ve journeyed through life, that sense of wonder has only deepened.  I’ve witnessed the resilience of the human spirit, the power of love to heal and transform, the breathtaking beauty that exists in the simplest of moments.  I’ve experienced joy so profound it brought tears to my eyes, and I’ve weathered storms that threatened to break me.  Through it all, the one constant, the anchor in my soul, has been the understanding that life, in all its complexity and imperfection, is a gift beyond measure.

There have been times, of course, when life has felt challenging, when the weight of the world seemed too heavy to bear.  In those moments, doubt crept in, and the preciousness of this gift felt obscured by the struggles I faced.  But even in the darkest valleys, a tiny spark of gratitude remained.  A whisper of hope reminding me that even amidst the pain, there was still beauty to be found, lessons to be learned, and the unwavering potential for growth.

It’s in those challenging times that I truly understand the magnitude of this gift.  It’s in those moments that I’m reminded that life isn’t just about the mountaintop experiences, the moments of pure bliss.  It’s about the climb, the struggle, the perseverance.  It’s about the lessons learned in the valleys, the strength forged in the storms.  It’s about the journey itself.

And for this journey, for this incredible, messy, beautiful, challenging, and ultimately precious gift of life, I offer my heartfelt gratitude.  All praises to the God of my fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, for this immeasurable blessing.  It is a gift I will forever cherish, a gift that inspires me to live each day with purpose, with passion, and with a heart overflowing with gratitude.  It is, without a doubt, the greatest gift I have ever received.

If you would like to see what I am currently up to in life, click the link  https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcs1QHu8Qiv2mNxCYm6WQSbLSJRJk3ao6&si=Kh9oUmqV-ZlImCb4