Thankful

I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High. Psalm 7:17

I awake in the morn
With a song in my heart,
Praise within me inborn:
Thank you, Lord Most High.

The sweet aroma of a flower
Fills the morning air
As I walk for an hour.
Thank you, Lord Most High.

As I prepare my meal
And sit down to eat
I can't help but feel
Thank you, Lord Most High.

As I clean up the countertop,
I see family pictures
And have to stop;
Thank you, Lord Most High.

As I go about my day,
God answers whispered prayers,
And I take time to say,
Thank you, Lord Most High.

In the evening when I climb into bed
Thoughts of the day
Fill my head.
Thank you, Lord Most High.

Thanksgiving. What a wonderful holiday! A day specifically focused on being thankful. However, our lives can get so busy that we sometimes forget to be thankful. It’s even harder as the holiday season approaches. Preparing for the day itself can often distract us from the focus of the holiday.

Perhaps what we need is to already be in the habit of being thankful. (Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians 5:20) A few years ago, my pastor suggested we write 3 things we’re thankful for each day through the month of November. I’ve made it a daily practice ever since. Some days it’s easy to come up with three or more, while other days, I’m stretching to find even 3. But, it’s given me a more grateful heart. It’s helped me to be grateful throughout the day for the big and little things that I experience.

Our hearts change when we focus on the good in our lives instead of what’s going wrong. (And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17) Even little irritations can become all-consuming if we let them fester in our mind. Why not flip it! For instance, you can whine about all the household chores piling up or find something to be grateful about them. I don’t like dusting. It’s tedious and time consuming. But, I love to decorate for each season with family treasures past and present. So, I focus on the object I’m dusting and the joy and memories they conjure up. By the time I’m done, my heart is full of gratitude for the friends and family members these items represent.

This month’s Bible verse in Sunday School is Psalm 136:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever. Throughout the month, we’ve focused on different ways to give thanks. The children struggled a bit the first week applying gratitude. But as the month went along, they’ve really embraced it! One child came in with candy, giving it to all the leaders with a thank you and a hug! Another child gave me a high five as he left, thanking me for a fun time. Simple yet heartfelt gestures. What joy to see these young ones applying God’s Word in their lives!

I now encourage you to find ways to be thankful and show gratitude towards others. A simple thank you to the grocery bagger, a smile as you pass someone by on your walk, a note of thanks to someone for their service. Big or small, gestures of gratitude make a difference in both the giver and the receiver. Thanks for listening, my friends!

Dear Lord, I am so grateful for all you’ve done for me. Help me to be more conscious of thanking You on a daily basis. Give me opportunities to show gratitude towards others as well. Thank you, Jesus. Amen