“I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.” Psalm 9:1
I wake this morning to a need for gratitude. There are things pressing in and pressing down on me this morning. Things that if I let them, will remove the lens of gratitude that I need to approach life as God’s son, Megan’s husband, Benton, Malia & Kensley’s dad and to many, your brother and friend.
Gratitude is not my problem, it is my reward. It changes the trajectory of my thinking from victim or tired man, to victor and man committed to leading through example and love. Gratitude causes me to see through eyes of joy, to speak with a tongue of encouragement and to live genuinely and lovingly to those in my path.
“You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
So this morning I am grateful for the sleep that I was blessed with, in a comfort-providing new mattress that Megan and I purchased after fifteen years with our former sleep companion. You served us well.
I am grateful for the promise of a new day. Grateful for the life renewal I am living and witnessing in many others. I am grateful for refrigerators (plural) full of food. For a pantry filled with yet more food. I am grateful for water that turns on with the simple lift of a knob. I am grateful for the heat filling our house from the new HVAC system as our old passed away. I am so, so grateful for our back-up Keurig that is dispensing black gold.
“giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20
I am grateful for sleepy eyes and drooped shoulders of our kids as they get ready for school. I am grateful to be able to hold them, kiss them, tell them that ‘I love them’ as they recoil from unwanted touches and hugs this early in the morning. Oh, I am so grateful that God saw in me a dad, a father and a man who might shepherd his children. Time will tell how I am doing.
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.” Psalm 127:3-5
I am grateful for the privilege of sitting in our living room with Megan each morning as we individually have our quiet time with the Father. I am grateful that just being near here causes my heart to flutter and my body to feel warm, secure, loved and complete because she is near. I am grateful that nearly 18 years ago she chose me forever and 20 years ago saw what that broken and desperate man could not see.
“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.” Proverbs 18:22
I am grateful for the opportunity of this day. The opportunity to love someone in need of love. To share encouragement. To be productive. To listen. To give. To receive. To choose joy over frustration. To see beauty where someone else may see ashes. I am grateful that Jesus came and died for my sins and rose from the dead. I am grateful that I chose to surrender my life to him and live this life filled with purpose in preparation for an eternity filled with worship, joy and eternal gratitude.
I am grateful for you. I am grateful that you allow me to be a part of your life. I am grateful for your contribution to my life.
“For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning” Psalm 30:5
I am grateful.
You’ve got this