He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

It's a blessing that one of our sons and his family lives within a few minutes drive from our home. It's a blessing to be able to spend time with our son, his wife and the grandkids on a regular basis. It's great fun to spend weekly time playing with the grandkids. 

It is also a blessing to have a husband who flies frequently enough that we can either fly our other son and his family out for a visit, or, as we just did, fly west and visit them.

This most recent trip included some time in a beautiful area of northern Idaho. We vacationed in a lovely place at the base of a ski resort. Even with three children ages 3-6, we were able to spend quite a bit of time enjoying the grandeur of the mountains and the beauty of region, as well as the fun of a small town parade on July 4th. One of the perks of staying near a ski resort with a chair lift open in the summer is that when hiking with kids, we can easily reach the top of the mountain. Not the same sense of accomplishment as when you hike up, but the view from the top is just as spectacular!

I think every part of God's creation demonstrates His limitless creativity. Every region of the world has some natural beauty, but there is something about the mountains that calls my name.  Maybe it's from having Swiss blood flowing through my veins. Or maybe it's a sense of getting a glimpse of the power and majesty of our God. Whatever is the cause, there is something about being in the mountains, of enjoying the spectacular views from a  mountain top that renews me and usually results in my singing "How Great Thou Art." beginning at the stanza that speaks of the mountains:

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

And that stanza easily leads to the next which says,

And when I think,God His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in.
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

This morning in church, we sang this great hymn and my mind went back to our recent time in the mountains.  But it was the combination of this hymn and another that got me thinking.  We sang "He Giveth More Grace,"

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure.
His power no boundary known unto men;
Out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

And I was immediately challenged.  Yes.  It's easy for me to worship when I'm enjoying the majesty and glory of his creation.  And it's easy for me to thank Him for his limitless love and grace, and that fact that He gives, and gives, and gives again.

But if I am His child, my response should be thankfulness at all times. Gratitude for all His has done.  But am I extending that kind of love and grace to those around me?  Am I living my life, every day, as one who is called by the name of my Savior.  Am I living my life as a "little Christ."

May my life be lived in such a way that it brings honor and glory to the Awesome Creator, the One who created heaven and earth, the One who took my sin upon Himself and continues to extend love and grace to me each and every day.

Yes. He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.  May I do the same.