Obedience

I've just started a Christian Coaching class at my church.  We meet one Saturday a month for a year.  During the first class, God hit me with an amazing realization.  God uses our obedience as a vehicle to bless us.  Imagine God up in Heaven with an armful of presents searching for someone to give them to.  He looks down on you and studies your ways to find an opening to give you a present.  Are you being faithful in your finances... I will when I have more money.  Are you trusting God with your family... I'm just trying to make it through the day.  Are you looking outside yourself and seeking ways to bless others... I'd like to but I'm so busy with my own family.  Are you seeking God's word and will in your life... Well, I read my bible this morning.  God celebrates and gives you a gift!  God is so excited that you were faithful in that area of your life.  He honors your faithfulness and obedience with blessing.  He is searching your heart and your life and when He finds you obedient, He will be able to shower His blessings on you.  He can't do that if you aren't being obedient.  I've tried to obey because it was the right thing to do, but have really just made the connection that God can't bless me in my disobedience.  In following His will, I'm opening up my heart more and more to Him so He can pour out His blessings on my life and in return enable me to be a much greater blessing to others.  Praise God!