Thank You God

Scripture: Psalm 9:1 – I will give thanks to You, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonderful deeds.

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Reflection: There is something I ask my boys, very often. When we are snuggling, and just enjoying our time together, I always ask them “Do you know how I know God loves me?” Of course they indulge me by saying “how mommy”; even though I’ve asked them this same question many times and, for them, my answer never changes. I say, “I know God loves me because He gave me you.”

This started me thinking, and asking myself, Toby, how thankful are you really for the things God has given you – the things God has done for you – and how often do you thank and give God praise for the healing, the people, the moments, the purpose, the opened doors, and the closed doors alike – and everything in between?

Well, a few weeks ago, that’s what I wanted to do. I got up before the sun did – because I wanted to be intentional about drawing close to God and letting Him know how thankful I was. I left my husband asleep, and the kids were gone, so I felt I could find a moment to have a conversation, and write, without any interruptions.

This was not long after celebrating Thanksgiving and here I am wanting to be intentional about thanking Him for all He has done for me. I know that’s such a cliché, but Thanksgiving has this way of reminding us of the need to be thankful, however short lived it can be. Thankful for the patience He has shown me; the promises He has fulfilled in my life; the love He gives freely; for His grace and mercy; for the holiday season that means everything, and something different for those of us who believe; and for ordinary days that don’t mean anything in particular. I just wanted to say “thank You.”

I remember hearing something recently, although I can’t remember where, and the statement was “If you woke up today and only had the things you thanked God for yesterday, would you be alright?”

This is not an assumed question.

Would you be alright?

Would you be alright, if that job you despise was not yours tomorrow? Would you be alright if that family member you argued with during the holidays was gone tomorrow? Would you be alright tomorrow if your health started to fail? If your friends were gone? If your mind was fading?

I know this sounds a little drastic, but drastic times call for drastic measures. What are you thankful for? Let God know, with all of your heart, how grateful you are for the things you have received by grace! Take the time and count your blessings, one by one. Tell Him of His wonderful deeds. When you do, you will have a new appreciation for the things you have been blessed with.

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Prayer: Father God, Lover of my Soul, Blessing Bearer – thank You! Thank You for everything, great and small, that You have blessed me with. Thank You for knowing what I need even when I don’t know. God, please forgive me for those times I forgot, or just neglected, to say Thank You. Help me to always be aware of when I’m ungrateful for Your gifts to me, and the people in my life. Also, please help me to remember that when I don’t receive those things I have prayed for, this is also Your way of blessing me – by protecting me from myself. Thank You for loving me and blessing me with Your Son, Jesus, most of all. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.