I’m the kind of person who feels deeply. And I love words. But I don’t always express my gratitude to God and others.
A couple of weeks ago, a friend in small group posed a question.
“What if all we had tomorrow was what we’d thanked God for today?”
Whoa.
My heart stretched uncomfortably.
I fidgeted in my chair and glanced around the room and wondered if everyone else felt the same way I did.
Sometimes I let problems overshadow my gratitude. I doubt God’s goodness. His faithfulness.
I focus on the physical world and forget the supernatural world. I forget we have a God who is Lord over all, and He knows best.
I withhold gratitude.
The next morning, I filled pages in my prayer journal. I had a lot of catching up to do. I thanked Him for my coffee, my Bible, my reading glasses, 56 years of life.
I thanked Him for “blog readers who’ve become my friends.” It’s miraculous when God brings people into divine relationships, isn’t it?
I thought about how my husband Rick and I’ve been married for almost 38 years.
Later that day, I made a list for Thanksgiving. Could I praise God with our table decorations? I wanted something rustic and woodsy. I found an idea on Pinterest. It’s here.
Last Saturday, I asked Rick if he had time to make it.
He stopped what he was doing, and we headed for the woods.
“First, we need a log,” he said and pointed out three possibilities. “Which one do you like best?”
I picked out my favorite, and he chopped off the ends.
He cut holes for tea candles–just the right size.
We gathered pine cones. I already had pumpkins and plenty of leaves.
After I decorated around the log, Rick lit the candles.
I stood back, fresh gratitude rising, and spoke the words I was thinking.
“I can’t believe you made this. It’s beautiful. You didn’t even read the directions.”
He nodded.
“Really,” I said. “Thank you. You did it just for me.”
“Anytime.”
I reached for him spontaneously and he held me.
A prayer formed.
Thank You, Lord.
I love You.
You’re always here for me.
You listen and You love me.
Then it hit me.
Sometimes expressing gratitude to others ignites fresh gratitude to God. Click to tweet.
I will give thanks to You, Lord, with all my heart… Psalm 9:1 Click to tweet.
Does the question my friend asked stir fresh gratitude?
“What if all we had tomorrow was what we’d thanked God for today?”
So much love,
Julie