I confess. I have a vivid imagination. I often daydream. I create imaginary scenarios in my head to help me fall asleep. I image what might happen if . . . Sometimes I even worry about how rampant my imagination is. Maybe it is normal. Maybe it is not. Either way I have noticed that I often have an imaginary scene in my head. Sometimes the scene is my ideal situation. Other times it is the most tragic scenarios I can think up. Still other times, I imagine preposterous events and outcomes. Why does all of this go on in my head? Why do you dream up the things you dream up?
I think God gives us the gift of imagination for several reasons. One of the reasons is to be thankful for our reality. In my more distressing imaginations, I am sad, hurt, or otherwise distressed. I can become so upset by these imaginings, that I will cry or have some other real emotional response. I know that the situation is just imaginary, but it still affects me. Then, I can stop and be thankful that it is just my imagination. It is just something that I have created in my mind. The people I love are okay. I am okay. There are no snakes slithering under the sheets of my bed. It is all okay.
When these moments happen. When we realize that things are not as bad as we dream up. When we realize the true blessings we have, I believe it is important to stop and thank God for what we do have. Our lives are not perfect, but there are things to be thankful about. Take the time to be grateful for what you do have. Realize that our imaginings are often much worse than our reality. Use this as a reminder to give thanks.
