Give Thanks All Ways and Always

Give Thanks All Ways and Always
Let us come before Him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 95:2
Give thanks in all circumstances.
I Thessalonians 5:18

On Friday evening, I was getting ready to lead the online prayer group as I have done for over a year now. It had, however, been a very difficult and emotionally trying day. I had spoken online with a friend who had several concerns. I was beginning to get discouraged and knew that I needed a MAJOR attitude adjustment before even considering leading the prayer time. I knew the prayer time would be filled with more prayer requests and more hurt, pain and suffering. So, instead of going straight to the chat room for prayer, I headed for the….bathtub! Now some of you do not know me as well as others….so for those of you who don’t….I will explain something to you! I have become known for my “tub talks” with God!! It seems that when He really wants to get my attention or I really need advice and need to hear His voice He speaks to me (or I hear His voice) most clearly in the bathtub…or at least doing things associated with water! And what better way to get the needed Attitude adjustment than from the Lord…so off I went! I clearly heard what needed to be done! God told me to begin the prayer time by asking everyone to express something…more than one thing would always be nice…for which they are thankful….a blessing from the Lord! Normally we have a time of fellowship before prayer time begins…and then we begin prayer time. We say general “thank You Lord” blessings….but I really wanted specific blessings mentioned. I was sure this would turn my attitude around. So, off to the chat room I went…poised to present my request. What happened next was truly uplifting and amazing!

I explained to the group that I had had a difficult afternoon. I had been to the nursing home where my mother passed away doing a Bible Study…and I also found out that one of the ladies from the Sunday school class that I teach has a serious health issue. I also visited with another friend and her mother who is a resident there. My dog, I later discovered had an ear infection and things were just emotionally piling up! I really needed a spirit lifter! So, I presented to the group what the Lord had told me to do. It was greeted with far more enthusiasm than I ever expected and oh the blessings and the thankful hearts that I experienced! I found out that another woman thought I was doing that just for her because she REALLY needed it!! I told her it was purely selfish on my part but that I was glad that it was being of help to her also. We spent the next forty-five minutes sharing joys and reasons to be thankful and blessings from the Lord. It was one of the most uplifting prayer sessions I have experienced in a long time. Even our prayer requests were put in a form of thankfulness!! My attitude was certainly lifted and I got that “adjustment” I so needed and longed for.

The praises, blessings and thanksgiving came from people who are hurting…some physically, some emotionally, some spiritually and some all three! These blessings and joys did not come from people who are carefree with not a worry in the world. Quite to the contrary! Even though some were suffering deep pain they shared joys and blessings. I was the one who was truly blessed by this prayer time! We were giving thanks in all circumstances.

I overheard one day while standing in the checkout lane in the grocery store a woman ask the clerk, “When is Thanksgiving?” The clerk stated the date. As I drove home, I thought about that question. “When is Thanksgiving?”…and thought….EVERY DAY IS THANKSGIVING or should be! Now if we are talking about the federal holiday, the day designated by our congress, then it is the fourth Thursday of November…but if we are talking about a day to give thanks….then it should be everyday…as thanksgiving means...giving thanks…and that should be a daily part of our lives!

Let us come before the Lord with thankful hearts and give Him thanks and praise…today and always and in all circumstances. The more we give thanks, the lighter our burdens will be and the more will fill our hearts.

PRAYER: Lord I come before You with thanksgiving and thank You for all blessings. Thank You, Lord not only for the joys in my life but also my trials. Amen