Jeremiah 1:4-8

Jeremiah 1:4-8
English Standard Version (ESV) 

  Today, we celebrate all that we have to be grateful for.  We take a deep breath and exhale, letting go of all the anxiety -- most of it worries about future uncertainties.  We worry about what might be, or what might not be.  We worry about how distant turmoil might come near, or about how anticipated events might not take place.  We stress ourselves out and forget all the blessings.
  And so today is the day to take a deep breath.  Your life is a gift from God, who knit you together in the womb.  He has called you by name, and no matter how unworthy you may feel, he has called you with a purpose, for a purpose, on purpose.  You are not an accident -- you are beloved by the immortal & all-knowing God who exists outside of time and space and yet entered into this world by the presence of his Son and died on the cross to save you from the mire of your sins.  God loves you, and God sends you, empowering you by his Holy Spirit on the way, surrounding you with his love and commissioning you to tell others about his amazing love. 
  You have much to be grateful for.  You are held in the same hands that hold eternity, and through the grace of God the light and love we experience here and now are a mere shadow of the blessings that are to come.  May we be joyful today!!