each week three of us have to do devotions for the class, this week was my turn, i thought i would share it with you:

A characteristic of God that truly moves me is that He is giving. Day after day, sin after sin, person after person he gives and gives and gives. His love is poured out over and over; forgiveness is given day after day. Salvation is offered to those who believe, salvation a selfless gift is available because God gave his son to die on a cross for us.
A characteristic I want to posses is that of gratitude, I think that so many times I personally take for granted the beautiful things of life, the small moments that make up our journey and truly define our character. Look to your left and then to your right each person here is a gift, a gift to the world and to your life. The impact you have left upon me will last a lifetime, and not a day passes that I do not thank God for each one of you. Think of it, if we truly took into account all the many blessings, the breakfast we ate, the clothes we are wearing, the tables we are sitting in, shoes, flowers, balloons, smiles, skateboarding, candy, soccer, the garage you sleep in, a hug from your boyfriend/girlfriend, seeing your best friend, toothbrushes, wearing your hair up, moms, a good book, sunrises, animals, honestly I could go on forever we have so many things to be thankful for, God is a giver. Each day, each hour we live is something to truly celebrate I believe in a life of celebration. I believe that the world we wake up to every day is filled to the brim with deep, aching love, a long lasting love, with smiles and joy happiness and sunshine however it posses down days hatred and sadness. And I know which one of those I want to win in the end, it is love. I want to celebrate in the face of despair, dance when all we see on the horizon is doom. Run when all we feel like doing is sitting, hug when I am angry, forgive when all I want to do is hold a grudge. I know that death knocks at our doors when we least expect it and in some cases comes far to early, but when the time comes for me, I want to be full tilt, wide open, caught in the very act of life. I think that is what we are here for, not for a passive, peaceful life, but to stand up in the face of all that lacks peace and demand for more. I think that is what is so encouraging about God’s love, it is so big that you just can not get enough, for it is uncontainable but always satisfies once you get a taste of it, more is what you crave.
Let’s say I gave you a sweater, and you loved it, I would know because you would wear it so much you’d be on the verge of wearing it out. It would be the sweater you wear on Christmas and to go to class and maybe sleep in when you are cold the one that sits in the back of your car and is seen in pictures over and over. It would distinctly smell like you and have holes and snags and be stretched out but just by looking at it, it tells a story of where it’s been and who you’ve been while wearing it. This is what I want life to be like, like a well loved gift. I think life, just life, just breathing in and out, is a great gift. God gives us something amazing when he gives us life, and I want to live with gratitude. I want to live in a way that shows how much I appreciate the gift. If life were a sweater I would wear it everyday. I wouldn’t save it or keep it for a special occasion. I would find every opportunity to wear that sweater, and I would wear it proudly, shamelessly, for days on end. I guess I want to encourage you to put on your sweater of life this morning and wear it with a smile. I want to play one of my favorite songs which was so wonderfully performed by hanna last week; your love is extravagant I want to emphasize a key line in the lyrics:
Spread wide in the arms of Christ there's a love that covers sinNo greater love have I ever known; You considered me a friendCapture my heart againNo greater love have I ever known, there is no greater love than the love of God; than the gift of God’s love. Don’t let it pass you by, grab hold of it and spread wide in the arms of Christ. Be blessed by God’s gifts take them with gratitude and go and be a blessing. Listen to the words, let them work in your heart, and let God set you free from anything you may be holding back, be consumed in his love, in his unending gift of love.