My Favorite Things To Survive A Pandemic

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:2

Happy Mother’s Day! How are you celebrating today? We usually spend the day going out to brunch and then hit the local nursery to buy my annuals for the flower garden. This year, we will have brunch at home, which is great because Richard makes a mean Scramble, French Toast, and Biscuits and Gravy!

 Have you ever wondered what God’s favorite thing is? I cannot help but believe His favorite thing is us. Everything He has ever done in the universe He did for our benefit. He made creation for us, He was crucified for us, and He is coming again for us!

“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens. Brown paper packages tied up with strings. These are a few of my favorite things” — Julie Andrews, The Sound of Music

Have you ever seen one of those episodes of Oprah where she brings out all of her favorite things and then gives every audience members one of each item? Wow, I would LOVE to be sitting in the studio for one of those episodes! Everybody loves a free gift. The beauty of a good gift shines through when it is thoughtful, perfectly timed, and has no strings attached.

The first chapter of the book of Ephesians holds better loot for us than the biggest gifts ever given on the Oprah Show. Let’s unwrap a few of these thoughtful, perfect, and free gifts:

1. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (vs. 3)
2. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. (vs. 4)
3. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.  (vs. 5)
4. To the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. (vs. 6)
5. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavishes on us. With all wisdom and understanding. (vs. 7-8)
6. He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment – to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. (vs. 9-10)
7. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. (vs. 11-12)
8. And you were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession to the praise of his glory. (vs. 13-14)

(For a more in-depth study of this passage of scripture, read The Inheritance, HERE.)

As you read through that list again of all the goodness and grace lavished upon us, I think you will agree there is no waffle maker, chocolate truffle, or makeup kit by Lady Gaga, to compare.

But just for fun, this Mother’s Day I am going to leave you with my list of favorite things to survive a pandemic. Without further ado…

Since I am no Oprah, I will not be sending you each out a package of gifts, but I do want to wish you a Happy Mothers Day and pray you are surviving the pandemic with the glorious grace of God lavished upon you today and forever.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of glorious grace, redemption, and every spiritual blessing. You are my favorite thing and I could not live without my relationship with you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.