A long wooden bench sits just outside the training room of the Buckner International offices. Though it’s been well maintained, it’s clearly been well used. As many as 15 children could sit on the bench at a time. More than 1,000 children have in fact sat on the piece when it resided in Manna Hall, the dining hall of the old Buckner Orphans Home in Dallas. 

Without much thought, the bench did its job for decades. Children likely never wondered whether the bench would hold them up or if it would move. The furniture was simply there, always ready to support them. 

That’s exactly what parents at Buckner Family Pathways want to be: Always there for their children. They want to support their offspring. They want to encourage the next generation. And they want their presence to be so normal that it’s assumed by their children. 

Many times the things we take most for granted in life are the most precious. We assume things will work as they should. We assume our parents will always love us. We assume we’ll wake up in the morning. 

We take for granted God’s love. After all, Scripture tells us it’s never ending. 

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    
for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;
    
great is your faithfulness.
-Lamentations 3:22-23

This week, let us take nothing for granted, praising God for how he has blessed and led us. His blessings flow unceasingly. Let us live with joy in them.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. -1 Chronicles 16:3