Start with His character.

He IS good­ness. All goodness comes from Him.

It’s not just a character trait ­ like “you and I are good people”. His is the very source of all goodness.

As you seek Him, and your confidence grows in that, you start to rest in His goodness.

You can look at creation with fresh eyes and a gentle breeze or a small flower will stir your soul. You can glimpse at His love for you ­ unending, unceasing, always love.

When you look at an artist’s creation, you can’t help but notice the artist himself.

You will begin to see His goodness in each other. You will begin to notice your heart has become softer and more tender. You will notice that the tight grip you have on what you think should be, will release to His will.

You will begin to worry less about being accepted by others, because you are His.

You will begin to worry less about being right, because you serve the One who is truth.

Then, you will start to notice the good in one another.

You may notice it in the lady at the grocery store who smiles graciously as you try to push the stroller clumsily through the door. It might be the man at the post office who lets you go in front of him as your toddler pulls every box off the counter.

But the true test, the true win is when we notice the goodness in those whom we share our days with.

 

The people we are closest to are our vocation. They have been given to us by our Heavenly Father to pour His love into as they walk this earth.

That is the hardest part, right? We can list at least ten things off the top of our heads about how they drive us crazy ­- empty toilet paper rolls, toilet seats left up, baby gates left open, dishes in the sink, empty milk jug in the refrigerator, dirty diapers left on the changing table…

But what about the good things?

This is where it starts. If we can look at those we spend the most time with and notice the good in them, your world will change. It could be something little ­ opening the door for you, helping with the baby, smiling at you, saying thank you.

Little hearts and little ears will hear you say the good in them.

As we notice the good in them, our vocation becomes easier and even more fulfilling! This is our one beautiful life that He has given us.

If it’s been a hard day, or week, it may be difficult for you. This may be a process, not something that happens overnight.

Take it easy on yourself and celebrate the moments that you are pointing out their goodness.

Your words will begin to be the echo our Heavenly Father’s words.

You will speak the truth of the goodness to them. Our voice will ring in their ears in years to come ­ that they are loved and they are good and that they are His.

THIS is why we must train ourselves to notice goodness.

So in the end, this talk is really about noticing God, because He is the font through which all goodness flows ­ into you, into me, into all of creation.