You know, anyone can sit around a table and tell what they are thankful for. But what about who they are thankful to? When a Christian gives thanks, it is to God. Our words are not just spoken into the air. Our words are not just so that we can feel pleased that we are being noble and good by exhibiting gratitude for all we have. Our gratitude is expressed to God, who is the giver of every gift we have.
I printed out little "Give thanks" booklets for our family and I sat with the kids on a quiet afternoon. Each of us sat, thinking and jotting things down. We all chuckled a bit as I read the things that Brienne had helped Clara (5yrs.) to write down. Most of what she wrote was food related. Cake, cookies, candy etc. The list went on and on. We had to set a "one food item" limit! I know she's only five...but still, we needed to get beyond all the treats she enjoys.
And I think about myself. How much more I need to be in the habit of thanking God. How much more I should thank God on a daily basis and not just three times a day before meals.
It is good to thank God for everything...but let us not get too sidetracked by the food. The awesome character of our God is something we can always praise and thank him for. Things like turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie are all passing away and are not eternal like our God.
There is so much to praise God for! Psalm 147 is packed with truth about God...
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names.
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
Psalm 147:3-5
These verses are so encouraging if we believe them. We can turn to the God who determines the number of stars in the sky with all of our heartache and pain and he heals us. He comforts us. Picture the vast number of stars in the sky and remember that it is our God who has set them there. He knows each and every one by name. We do not. He is the great one. He knows every single detail about your life and mine.
It is a comfort to me to think of God's greatness and his abundant power. There are no limitations to what he is able to do nor to what he understands and knows. Sometimes the thing that can bring us the greatest comfort can also be our greatest struggle. Sometimes we think "If God is so powerful and able to do all things, then why did he do this to me?" Or we wonder why he is taking so long to act on our behalf. Sometimes it is hard for us to make sense of God's plan for us. We have to remember that his understanding is beyond measure. He who measures the stars cannot be measured. He is almighty God. Nothing, no not ONE single thing is outside of his control. There is rest in that and there is peace because we serve a God who is not as limited in understanding as we are. We serve a God who rules over all the earth with great power and majesty.
But there is more to our God than power and rule and might. There is love. Steadfast, unchanging, unwavering, faithful, complete and boundless love. He loves us more than we can possibly imagine. And in all things that we experience here on earth, he is working for our good and to bring glory and honor to his name.
Let us thank our God for who he is, today and forevermore.
Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on the lyre!...
...the LORD takes pleasure in those
who fear him, in those who hope
in his steadfast love.
Psalm 147: 7, 11
Linking up for the writing prompt here: http://www.ellenstumbo.com/i-am-thankful/
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