"Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, Bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens, Brown paper packages tied up with strings: These are a few of my favorite things..."
The “Sound of Music” is one of the best-known musical films ever. Love it or not, some of the catchy tunes and lyrics are embedded in millions of memories. Julie Andrews as Maria- what a voice… and filmed in glorious Alpine splendour!
As it happens, “raindrops on roses” ARE one of my favourite things… along with cute kittens, excellent food, fabulous scenery, great friends, the love of a family and much, much more.
Having favourite things is one of the fun things in life. Favourite people, too. Favourites are so important- they help us set priorities, make values, and determine our relationships. Our very purpose in life is affected by who and what we enjoy; who we serve, whom we seek out, how we spend our time and money.
Some favourites are our choice; others are given to us or are part of our back story, our heritage. ( For example, I support Brighton & Hove Albion because I grew up there- and the local team were the heroes even though back then they played in the Third Division.)
It’s a strange thing about human nature- we are often more content with “not too much” than those people who have everything they could ever want. The more we have, the more we worry about losing it.
Valuing our “favourite things” and living in an attitude of gratitude is very healthy.
In Paul’s letter to a young man named Timothy, we read this: “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.” – 1 Timothy 6 v17 (New Living Translation)
God has given what we NEED, certainly most of the time (even though troubles and ill-health will affect ALL our lives).
So being thankful is not just good manners, it is wise.
Far beyond raindrops and kittens, we find out that God should be our favourite because of His great Love and mercy, lovingkindness and compassion.
A simple prayer of thanks:
Heavenly Father, thank You. Thank You for being everything to me and for me. You are faithful! You are concerned with everything that concerns me. I am grateful for Your Holy Spirit that comforts me during times of fear and doubt. Thank You for everything that You’ve done for me; seen and unseen. I will praise Your name, forever! In Jesus’ name, Amen. (by Maria Drayton)
“O Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all 'gods'.” Psalm. 95:1-3
The Reflectionary 