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Some days thankfulness flows. She does her chores without being told 100 times. You share a laugh. You hug a dripping wet girl straight from the waters of baptism. Hearts are overflowing, and thankfulness is natural.
Other days thankfulness is a discipline. It is hard work because you are tired. She is disobedient, unaware, or both. Maybe you are just surviving your life, and the thought of giving thanks for anything seems ridiculous.
This past Sunday I experienced both of these extremes. I had great joy for my 7 year old’s bold statement of faith. I felt thankful. At the same time, my oldest was home sick. One by one members of my family have succumb. I found myself saying, “Are you kidding me?” Instead of, “Thank you Lord that I have a family to care for in Your Name.” Self pity crept in, a foe that pretends to have my best interest at heart. Truthfully, the only way I can send her packing back to the pit where she belongs, is to choose the discipline of gratitude.
Gratitude chaser Ann Voskamp has encouraged me to take baby steps in this journey. One by one I have counted them. My goal was 1,000 in 1 year. But, recently I have slowed the pace. Not because I lack gifts to count, but because the journey is sweet, and I am learning much. Mrs. Voskamp has a new book coming out this January. (Go ahead and pre-order this beauty. Come back. I’ll wait). Here is what the press release says about a grateful life:
Because it’s only in the expressing of gratitude for the life we already have that we discover the life we’ve always wanted—a life we can take, give thanks for, and break for others. We come to feel and know the impossible right down in our bones: we are wildly loved — and by God.
Did I just quote a press release? Yes, but even it pushes me on toward gratitude. Having thankful hearts isn’t just Ann’s idea. It is God’s idea.
Psalm 100:4
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! (ESV)
The word thanks here means ‘to throw, like stones.’ I love this word picture. Have you ever cast stones into a lake? You pick up a small round pebble. It feels smooth in your hand. You launch it. It splashes and sends out ripples all around. You toss another. And another. It feels good. You find yourself looking for the perfect rock to make the best splash.
What if, thanksgiving were like that? You toss one, by faith. And then another. And another. The next thing you know you are looking for the perfect gratitude “stone” to cast back to God. He is the one who gave you the gifts in the first place. Thanking Him is itself a gift. It feels good. And this gift has a ripple effect not only in your life, but your girl’s life as well.
Lord, let us be mothers who are thankful. May we enter your gates with thanksgiving. Not only in November, when it is the traditional thing to do. Or merely, December as our hearts are preparing room for the Baby Jesus. But may we push on to be gratitude chasers, during the tough days. When it hides from us. As the world is watching and the natural thing to do is to complain. Lord, we commit today, to give thanks in all things. May it change us as mothers, and leave a legacy of gratitude in the lives of our daughters.
2 Comments
I love your prayer, Stacey. I’m glad you’ve joined Ann on her journey. I’ve been thinking about doing that too. Hmmmm.
Shelly recently posted..In Which I Apologize to my Dad
Stacey! This: “The word thanks here means ‘to throw, like stones.’ I love this word picture. Have you ever cast stones into a lake? You pick up a small round pebble. It feels smooth in your hand. You launch it. It splashes and sends out ripples all around.”
Oh… the ripple of your words sends me further out and right into Him.
Thank you for edifying your sisters today…
So grateful,
Ann
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