A way to find thankfulness

I wrote most of this back on September 26th, but didn't quite finish. I updated it and am posting it now.

There is so much I have to be thankful for. And by God's kind grace, my heart has been giving thankfulness some exercise - it needs to be whipped into shape! One particular practice that has given fuel to thanks is prayer: praying not just for myself but for specific things for other people. Carolyn McCulley encouraged in a blog post to pray not just for yourself but for others, and "then open your eyes to the many, many prayers He is answering." When you pray for others, you can "typically find it very easy to 'rejoice with those who rejoice.'"

I have found this to be true. It has helped me have more of a thankful and joyful heart as I see God doing good and exciting things in people's lives. For instance, I was delighted to find my heart took much easier than anticipated to joy during my cousin Jeannette's wedding a few weekends ago, remembering how we had prayed for her future husband together as young teenage girls. And it has been easier to rejoice with my good friend Angela getting an internship with Sovereign Grace Ministries because I joined in praying for her during the interview process. Even though I will feel a huge loss when she leaves our office (gah, I know it will really hit me!), I'm thankful God has allowed me to join in her excitement. Plus, I can look forward to one or more visits down to Gaithersburg to visit her. :)

I've found a wonderful sort of progression happens: from prayer, to thankfulness, to happiness and joy. And my heart is hungry for love - to know the love of God and to pour it out to others.

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning

It's time to sing Your song again

Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me

Let me be singing when the evening comes

Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger

Your name is great, and Your heart is kind

For all Your goodness I will keep on singing

Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

(c) Matt Redman

photo: August 13, 2011 sisters at hunting cabin