“… do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6 (ESV)
Last week I taught chapel to a room full of precious elementary students. Our topic was how to train to be Godly and I desperately wanted them to get it. We spend so much time training and practicing for things that have no eternal value, I kept thinking, “ How amazing would it be to have these young hearts grasp what is important and decide to focus on Him!”
In my preparation, I came across some ideas to help younger minds understand what Godliness is and how to help them focus in that direction. What I did not expect was how much it helped me-isn’t that the way it usually goes!
In the area of teaching kiddos how to pray, one of the points of emphasis I discovered was how to teach children to give gratitude to God during their prayer time. Some material that I read stressed teaching children to list the things they love about God and Who He is and what things, specific things, He has done in their life. Maybe this was written for kids, but it sure applies to me!
As author Lisa Appelo writes, “Gratitude opens our spiritual eyes. There’s a beautiful cycle in giving God thanks: the more we thank Him, the more we see Him working in us and around us. Gratitude helps us sense God’s presence, His personal care and His perfect timing.”
That is exactly what I want-to sense God’s presence, to know He is working in all things, and to honor His timing as I understand He is King of Kings and I am not. I want my eyes to be open and aware of Who it is that I am living for and gratitude is the key to moving into that direction.
Maybe you are struggling and do not feel as if you have a lot to be grateful for. I have been there. Life fell apart and I felt so alone. I have found that gratitude is a choice. It can be the bootstraps God uses to help us pull ourselves out of the pit of self. It is not always easy, but it is always worth it. There is always, always something to be thankful for. When we find the things to thank Him for, we can see Him working and this draws us to Him.
As Corrie Ten Boom recorded, her sister Betsy taught her to be thankful for the fleas in their beds in the Nazi concentration camps because the fleas kept the guards from coming into their barracks!
I think I can find something to give God thanks for!
Happy Thanksgiving to each of you!
For His Glory
Terrie Tollerson
TRBC Women’s Life
Women’s Life Devotionals will resume on Monday, December 2 – Have a great Thanksgiving.
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