Sometimes the glitches in life make us forget to give thanks.
Like at 11:30 pm, when I was in the middle of making a cake, and no one should be making a cake at that hour, but I was because of ridiculous procrastination. With cake batter all over my apron and hands, I went into the living room and saw a long streak of light gray paint over creamy blush.
Only this was not art.
This was my dear husband trying to help me by covering a long black scratch etched into the wall by a chair. Only he hadn’t noticed that he grabbed the bucket of gray paint for my daughter’s room instead of the “Vanilla Flower” living room bucket.
In one moment, 21 years of Jose’s love, faithfulness, and service went out the window. I thought, “What? He just wrecked my living room wall. What’s up with him?” And I made that one little mistake big in my mind.
Actually my mistake was bigger than his.
Because my man may not be a painter, but he IS a keeper.
He loves God, and he loves me and our kids. He’s sensitive, funny, kind, and merciful. He’s intelligent, discerning, and wise. He fills the car with gas, pays the bills, and does the dishes every night. He makes great conversation. Moreover, he’s made me the happiest woman in the world. (And he did fix the gray streak on that wall!)
Sometimes I need to remind myself to give thanks.
Maybe that’s something we all need to remember.
- When elections and politics make us wonder if God really rules and reigns.
- When traffic, long bus rides, and supermarket lines send our peace out the window.
- When we’re tired and irritation grows.
- When we don’t see answers to our prayers for healing, for finances, or for a baby.
- When holding on to hope gets too hard.
When we need to remember how to give thanks, God’s Word reminds us.
Friend, if the challenges and glitches of life have stolen the thanks and praise from your heart, may I encourage you to go to Scripture for encouragement? Reading verses like these out loud can put Thanksgiving on our lips again when it feels like we’ve forgotten the language of thanks.
5 Scriptures to Prepare our Hearts to Give Thanks
1. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. (Psalm 107:1, NIV)
2. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV)
3. Giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. (Psalm 50:23a, NLT)
4. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (Philippians 4:6 NLT)
5. Yours, 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, Lord, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all…
Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name. (1 Chronicles 29:11,13 NIV)
When I don’t quite have all the Thanksgiving feels, words like these inspire me and spark gratitude in my heart again. As you read these verses, what comes to mind for you? How about taking a minute to praise God for his faithful love and give Him thanks today?
Are you facing the challenges of life on an empty tank? Need help renewing your relationship with God?
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You always write words of wisdom Betsy. Thank you!
Aww! Thanks, Christy! Sending hugs your way, friend!
So grateful that God’s Word reminds us of what really matters this season and always!
Yes, it does! Happy Thanksgiving to you.
Betsy,
Ironically, I read your post right after my husband and I made up after a stupid argument over the dog. How easy it is to pick on the one thing that isn’t quite right when you have a whole host of blessings in front of you. I have several scriptures on giving thanks posted strategically around the house. Reading those aloud when I see them helps me to refocus my heart on gratitude. Thanks for letting me know I’m not alone.
Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving,
Bev xx
Amen to reading those aloud! What a great idea to put the Scriptures up around the house. (And yes, I’m glad you and your husband made up. I’ve been there many a time, my friend!)
These scriptures are excellent choices. I especially like being reminded of the Psalm 107:1. Love the story of your husband and the paint. And my guess by your words, that after the cake baking mess, he did the dishes. hee hee
Hah! That’s pretty funny! I seem to remember he did, indeed!
When I was going through a divorce that I did not want, a niece of my soon to be ex sent me a book with the principle of praise and thanks, THROUGH all things or WHILE IN all things. The praise and thank you was for how he turns all things to Joy and GOOD when we cannot see how that is going to happen. Lol “Prison to praise” by Merlin Carothers.
Praise and thanks through all things and in all things. I love that! Thanks for sharing!
The 1 Chronicles 29 verse is so powerful. Thank you Betsy.
I love it too, Lisa!
i love that when we can’t find the right words to speak gratitude we only need to look to His Word and pray His words back to His waiting, loving heart …
Amen!