why say thanks

~a few thoughts on gratitude that have spurred my heart on towards Thanksgiving…

Giving thanks encourages a posture of humility…

I am a recipient.  When I say thank you, I remind myself over and over again that I am the receiver and not the reason for all that I have and all that I am.

Giving thanks is an expression of trust…

All that is given, each circumstance faced, or even endured, comes from His hand for His purposes.  When I say thank you, I stop seeing myself as a victim and instead see the great honor and privilege of my position – esteemed and cradled in the hand of the sovereign God.

Giving thanks is a declaration of value and worth…

God’s workings in my life – down to the smallest details of every good and perfect gift He gives each day - matter!  They are perfect investments, wisely given.  When I say thank you, I am recognizing the value of each gift and the great worth of the Giver.

“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours.  Yours, O Lord is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.  Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.  In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.  Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.” (1 Chronicles 29:11-13)

photo:  our garland of thanks and praise

enough

 

Making the prayer at the end of Hebrews my own…

God of peace, equip me with all I need for doing your will.  Produce in me, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to you.

Too often there is a message playing in my mind that says, “Do more.  Be more.  You are not enough.”

Do you know that message?  Does it get stuck on repeat in your mind too?

And as it repeats, it becomes a weight pushing down, pushing under.

 

But He doesn’t push down.  He lifts up – the Lifter of my head and the One who daily bears my burdens…

 

I can count on Him to equip me with what I need (not what I think I need) to do His will (not every imaginable calling, mission, or good deed that I think I should do).  And He will produce in me through the power of Jesus (not through my efforts, my straining, my will power) the good things that are pleasing to Him.

 

He is enough – and I am enough because He is.

All glory to him forever and ever!  Amen.  (Hebrews 13:21b)

seeing

“…he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.”  Hebrews 11:27

from John Piper:  ”How shall we fight for joy? …Realize that the battle is primarily a fight to see God for who He is.”

Abba, thank you…for…

~the weakness of my flesh, for ups and downs that make me so aware of my need for you.

~promises that I can be sure of, lean hard into

~acceptance, encouragement, and grace from my hero and best friend

~a big brother’s kindness and the value the little man feels because of that kindness

~the grand excitement that a trip to the library stirs up around here

~short walks in brisk November air – the wise advice of aforementioned hero and best friend

~”By day the Lord directs His love, at night His song is with me….”(Ps 42)

beauty

He has made everything beautiful… (Ecc 3:11)

Isn’t He beautiful?

Beautiful, isn’t He?

Prince of peace, Son of God.

Isn’t He, isn’t He…

Isn’t He wonderful?

Wonderful, isn’t He?

Counselor, Almighty God.

Isn’t He, isn’t He…

One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek:  that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.  (Ps 27:4)

photos:  a visual gift list from Desoto National Wildlife Refuge – with heartfelt thanks to the Giver and to the friend who takes me on field trip adventures I’d never attempt on my own…Where should we go next?

Would you like to worship with me through that beautiful old chorus?  Click to listen on YouTube

rest

“So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God.” Hebrews 4:9

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

“…He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecc 3:11

The rest He promises is the rest I desire.

He has programmed that into our hearts.

No wonder I long for it, dream of it, and sense glimpses of it in the beauty and redeeming moments of life here and now.

There is rest now and there is a rest still waiting.

How great is His goodness stored up for those who fear Him…

photos:  bed of leaves in Nebraska City and the trees that gave the bed…