I am constantly falling short. My words and my actions fall short. I never give thanks enough. I am currently reading through all of the letters that Paul wrote to the churches. Keep in mind he was writing them in prison. A common theme in every single letter is thanksgiving. And he isn’t talking about the holiday with the good food. He is talking about constantly giving thanks to God, praising Him, lifting His name up and making His good works known.
I know I do not show gratitude as often as I should. It isn’t that I’m not grateful but its the fact that my words don’t match my feelings. I can worship all day and sing songs of thanksgiving but the songs will end. I want to push myself to keep giving thanks after the song ends. This has not only been a theme in what I have been reading but also something we have talked about on the Race. We recently did a journey marker on what we are thankful for. When I sat down, paused and thought about it I had so many things I could think of. Here are a few examples of what I wrote:
- God’s Grace
- Clean available water
- God’s unconditional love
- Shade Trees
- My team
- My mom’s wise words
- My dad’s hugs
I continued to write out more and more until almost the whole page was filled. Of course when I am sitting still and concentrating on what I am thankful for I can think of so many things. I take so many things for granted.
For instance, we had no water for almost two days where we are in Costa Rica. In my mind I immediately started thinking about how will we make it without water. So we walked to neighbors wells and filled up every pot, pan, bucket and bottle we could find. I had a moment where I said to myself “We wake up and expect”. As Americans we take so many things for granted because we truly are so blessed. The fact that we wake up everyday not worrying about having available clean water. We don’t wake up thinking that this will be the day that we walk to the well to get drinking water. We have been given the world so now it’s what we expect everyday.
We should all learn from Paul because he would boast about his lack. He said he didn’t want to boast when he was well off because it wouldn’t necessarily show God’s goodness. Instead he boasted when he lacked because God showed up. He boasted and choose joy while in prison. He prayed without ceasing and gave thanks always. He made God’s good works known to the world. I think this is a good example of praising God in the hallway. By this I mean that when a door has been shut in front of us and we are waiting in the hallway for another one to open. We need to praise Him in the hallway. We can’t just praise Him when he opens doors and gives us what we want. We must praise always and give thanks always.
I am thankful for my lack today. It’s hard to even consider it lack. We are blessed with clean water, a roof over our heads, 3 meals a day, and a shower. It may not be my GA home but it is everything I need and it’s a blessing. I need nothing more. Although, AC would be nice occasionally. Seriously I couldn’t think of being anywhere else right now. We are so blessed to live in this community. We are blessed to be able to get to know the locals. Blessed to build those relationships and blessed to be building up God’s kingdom. It almost makes me feel guilty of what is waiting for me at home. I realize how insignificant a full closet, pretty bedding and material things are. None of those things are important. They aren’t going with me to Heaven so what’s the need for them.
When I get to Heaven I want God to say “Welcome Home my grateful child”. He won’t care about how much money or things we have when we die if we didn’t lift his name up earth side. My thanksgiving carries more weight than my “stuff”. If I continue to not show my gratitude constantly I am being a lukewarm Christian. I don’t want to be lukewarm I want to be on fire for the Lord. I think God’s love language is words of affirmation and quality time so I want to love him well. I want to pray without ceasing and give thanks even after the songs end. Thanksgiving isn’ just worship and praying isn’t always being on your knees. Talk to God constantly. We don’t need a church pew because he meets us where we are.
Let’s stop waking up with expectations and start waking up with thanksgiving. Even if it is as simple as thanking him for waking you up that day. He doesn’t need anything elaborate just something genuine.
With love,
Catherine Jane
