Thursday, August 9, 2012

Full of Thanksgiving

This morning as I bowed before the Lord, I began thanking Him.  I thanked Him for waking me and my husband up with the ability to fully function.  I thanked Him for: allowing me to spend  yesterday out of town at a cottage with a pool with several of my former co-workers, my phone call last night with one of our children and the joy I heard in his voice for what the Lord is doing in his life, the news this week from a childhood friend that her cancer may now be in remission (a true testament of the Lord’s healing power), and my dad and brother’s move together to an apartment over the weekend.  With all the tragic news around the world, the number of grieving families I know, the serious illness of a close member of my family, as well as other issues, I am ‘full of thanksgiving.’ 

Normally during my devotional time with the Lord, I spend much time in intercessory prayer for those who are grieving, sick or injured, incarcerated, living in impoverished countries, homeless, jobless, having trouble in their marriage, for my family, friends, church, neighbors, youth and whatever or whoever else the Lord lays on my heart.  But this morning, I was simply ‘full of thanksgiving.’

No matter what we are going through, we can find something for which to thank Him.  When my grandson’s leg was broken a few months ago, I was able to thank God that the break was above the growth spot.  Had the break been a couple inches lower, my grandson’s growth would have been affected.  So I was able to praise Him for what didn’t happen.  This morning as I bowed before Him, I entered His gates with thanksgiving and His court with praise because He is good.  Are you full of thanksgiving today?  Have you entered His courts with praise?  Today, consider simply giving thanks to Him and praise His name!

Psalm 100:3-5
Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.

For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.