May I Be Found Thankful
I’m going to be grateful for the rest of the year.
So I have a challenge
To all who are reading
What if we become thankful
Instead of pleading
May I be found thankful
While I am praising You
Even when I don’t feel
Like it’s what I want to do
Today I choose to be grateful
I am so amazed
Because without Your grace
I couldn’t be saved
So while I do wait
Promises yet afar off
I will give thanks to You
And never ever scoff
I am eternally thankful
Yes I am without excuse
Lord Jesus so wonderful
Loving kindness we can deduce
This season of Thanksgiving
I am going to sit and trace
The love You freely show
From Your amazing grace
So much to say
So much to share
Gratitude is the key
My soul I’ll bare
Oh God in Heaven
The Faithful and True
How can I extol
A heartfelt Thank You
I am more than grateful
I am totally enraptured
I’m encircled with grace
I am caught and captured
Your love so infectious
Your love so resounding
I lack intelligible words
To share how astounding
What was I thinking
Who could count or trace
Your Goodness and Love
It is unending never effaced
So I have a challenge
To all who are reading
What if we become thankful
Instead of pleading
We could count our blessings
I’m sure we would all agree
That our blessings reach higher
Than the tallest redwood tree
O let us become more thankful
Make your list if you can
Because being more thankful
Is The heart of Fathers Plan
For when we are grateful
We share The Good news
It is Fathers good pleasure
In His Kingdom to put us to use
The ministry of hope
Is needed so much today
So begin by being thankful
First when you pray.
An attitude of gratitude
So contagious I hear
How about we just be thankful
For the rest of the year
© laurette laster 2018 November
There are times when it seems like being thankful is hard work. Or like gratitude eludes us and it is out there somewhere yet we can’t seem to reach it and tap into it. Isn’t this strange? Why is that? If we have received and accepted the gift of salvation our Lord offers to us so freely, we have more to be thankful for than we could think or imagine. Salvation alone is enough to be thankful for into eternity and to last an entire lifetime, wouldn’t you agree? So why is it then that there are times when being thankful is a chore? How can weather, sickness, circumstances, or situations cause us to be less thankful?
Could it be because we have attached feel good emotions and feelings to things. We believe we must feel a certain way or have an emotional tinge or charge before it is real gratitude. I am so thankful that I love all the seasons, but I do know there are those who do not like the cold winter days. I have a family member who says to me often, “You know I am solar powered.”
Isn’t it true, that it is quite the opposite? When we purpose in our hearts it is done according to scripture. We make a decision or decisions prior to having emotional feelings, and then we are to speak to our souls, just as king David taught us. “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my savior and my God.” (Psalm 43:5 NIV)
And again in this verse, “Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God – soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He is my God.” (Psalm 42:11 MSG)
Being thankful l is the key to health and happiness. We do not need to be thankful for every situation, but we do need to be thankful in every situation, just as we are instructed. “ Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard you hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)
On cold dreary days like today I am reminded that the late fall and winter time is indeed root season. We cannot expect to have a harvest of new growth without root time. This is the time for us to press into the things of God and nourish our roots with His word.
Dear Heavenly Father, in these changing turbulent times I pray we purpose to keep our minds and our souls set on the things of You, and be found by You, to be thankful grateful believers. Help us Lord God of our souls, to keep our minds focused on whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- that we think on such things. Thank you Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd and overseer of our souls. Amen.
God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you and give you Shalom.
Until next time, thank you for listening with me. laurette
