With Thanksgiving

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Why is it easier for me to beg God than to thank Him? I have countless reasons to tell Him, “Thank You.” I am ashamed of myself when I have pleaded and pleaded with Him and then I realize that He has answered my prayer and I have forgotten to tell Him how much I appreciate it.

As parents we have the opportunity to thank God in front of our children and to model thankfulness for them.

It is the living who give thanks to You, as I do today; 
A father tells his sons about Your faithfulness.
Isaiah 38:19, NASB

We are models for our children. They are watching when we verbally gives God credit in front of other people.

With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the Lord; 
And in the midst of many I will praise Him.
Psalm 109:30, NASB

Thankfulness begins in our hearts.

I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; 
I will tell of all Your wonders.
Psalm 9:1, NASB

A thankful heart focuses not on itself but on God and recognizes what God has lovingly given.

You are my God, and I give thanks to You; 
You are my God, I extol You.
Psalm 118:28, NASB

It is easier to be thankful when our lives are committed to godliness. Then we can see more clearly what God has done for us.

Sing praise to the Lord, you His godly ones, 
And give thanks to His holy name.
Psalm 30:4, NASB

A heart of ingratitude is a characteristic of those who do not know God. To have a thankful heart, we must recognize that we are not self-sufficient, but that we are vulnerable and in need and that to have we must receive.

For even though they knew God, 
they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, 
but they became futile in their speculations, 
and their foolish heart was darkened.
Romans 1:21, NASB

My number one “Thank You” today is that God is blessing our little grandson Henry. His doctor gave us even more encouragement on Sunday. There is even talk of going home, perhaps even by mid-week. Though we need the doctor to tell us that Henry’s blood counts have improved, we don’t need him to help us know how much better Henry feels. You should have seen him in the garden last night. Ray had the job of following him with his IV pole and it was all he could do to keep up with our little crawling speedster.

So, I will keep begging God to heal Henry completely, while thanking Him for Henry’s healing, for the way He is blessing John and Audra and all of our family in big and small ways, and for all that He is teaching us through this.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything
by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6, NASB

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