Layer Upon Layer of Blessing

Good things come in layers.

Chocolate cake tastes better when it's made in two or three layers with icing in between each one. My wife's homemade lasagna wouldn't taste so delicious if it didn't contain all those layers of cheese, tomato sauce, and pasta. A well-written novel weaves together layers of personalities and plots. When cold weather arrives, experts (like your mother) advise you to wear layers of warm clothing.

God's blessings come in layers, too. When you bow your head and thank the Lord for your lunch, a nutritionist could help you appreciate the vitamins and minerals the food contains. A chemist could explain the fine points of its molecular structure. An artist could help you appreciate the color and texture of the fruit and vegetables, meat and cheese. Meanwhile, your taste buds simply tell you, "This is delicious."

After being together for years, a husband and wife develop layers of blessing in their marriage. To say "I'm thankful for my wife" barely scratches the surface. Over the last 31 years, Candy and I have endured financial strain, car accidents, a house fire, job stress, and the multiple challenges of child-rearing. Meanwhile, together we have built lifelong friendships and shared the quiet joy of becoming grandparents. We have experienced the multiplied blessings of serving the Lord together and the satisfaction of knowing one another deeply and thoroughly.

You can appreciate the Bible on many levels. Read it through the eyes of a child and re-live the adventures of Moses, David, Daniel, and Esther. Read it through the eyes of a scholar and appreciate the nuances of a Greek word or an enlightening historical detail. Read it through the eyes of a sufferer and let the questions of Job and the complaints and assurances of the Psalms bring you comfort and hope. Read it through the eyes of a leader and learn how to help others achieve their potential.

Spiritual growth happens in layers. Although there's something wonderful about the fresh faith of a new believer, there's something equally wonderful about discovering new layers of wisdom, new appreciation for God's Word, and new avenues of service as the years go by. That's why the Bible tells us to keep adding layers of Christian maturity: "Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love" (2 Peter 1:5-7).

Since God's blessings come in layers, so should our gratitude. We can thank God individually in our private prayers. We can gather with other believers to sing God's praise, hear testimonies about his faithfulness, and thank him collectively for providing our needs. Through faithful stewardship we add yet another layer of blessing, giving generously out of grateful hearts so others will be blessed as well.

The biblical command to "give thanks in all circumstances" positions us to experience another blessing—to "be joyful always" (1 Thessalonians 5:16, 18).

That's the icing on the cake.