Wednesday, November 25, 2020

...journal

Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow all the days of my life. Psalm 23:6
We often neglect to tell those who matter most how much God blesses us through their lives. Our family relationships are richer when we express our gratitude to God for them and tell them so. Gratitude starts with humility, acknowledging that we enjoy blessings because of God’s mercies. A friend’s personally designed Christmas card read, “Thou hast given us so much. Give us one thing more…a grateful heart.”
Reflect on every person for whom you are grateful and for what you are grateful. Take out pen and paper, and share the overflow of your heart with your family. Your thanksgiving blessing will become a treasured legacy. Pray with me,  “Lord, make my heart a habitation where gratitude sings.”
These thoughts will get you started. Your own journal of gratitude will be longer and much more specific.
Father, from whom every family on earth is named, we give thanks...
    for time together as a family
    for our continuing love relationship with You through Jesus
    for our love relationship with each other
    for life, health, bright minds, and physical safety
    for food, clothing, a comfortable house, a clean bed
    for enjoying being together with laughter
    for the uniqueness of each one
    for the rock of strength that prayer is for us
    for faithful friends who encourage us by praying for our family
    for seeing God’s hand of grace at work in our lives as we experience more of Him
    for God’s plan for our lives and His enabling to keep us in His will each day
    for weaknesses through which God shows Himself strong in us
    for wisdom and guidance in daily circumstances
    for strength for daily demands of job and family
    for hope, peace, victory, satisfaction, and fulfillment
    for financial blessings
    for spiritual strength in spiritual battles
    for Your patience in the testing, struggles, and refining that we grow through
    for Jesus’ sufficiency for today’s grace
    for forgiveness received and forgiveness extended
    for hearts of obedience
    for more than we could ever deserve!
Thanks, for who you are and all you mean to me.
-sylvia gunter

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