Finding Lost Thankfulness
“Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His.” Psalm 100:3
Holidays remind us to hold tight to what’s precious.
When I was growing up, we traveled three hours twice annually to see my Great Aunt Dorothy. Whenever we ate, she gave thanks and prayed, and she always ended with: “Oh give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good, and His mercy endures forever.”
She was quoting Psalm 100.
This passage isn’t true only during happy circumstances. One year, I visited my sweet Grandma Irene weekly in her hospice room. Family had decked her room out with so many photos, plants, and Christmas decorations you could almost pretend we were meeting in her living room. Still, I had to pump myself up to get there. To face the reality that she was slipping away and I couldn’t keep her here much longer.
On the way from Gretna to Bellevue, Nebraska, I listened to my favorite Gospel song with my hands in the air, begging God to show up in our few precious moments. On the way home I did the same. Hands up praising him, tears down my cheeks, thanking Him for blessing our time.
I thanked Him for allowing my oldest son to read one of his first books to her.
I thanked Him when my two littles made her smile.
I thanked Him for the chance to ask her questions and talk about flowers.
And I thanked Him for one more hug. One more afternoon. One more goodbye.
Praising God came easy in those moments when I was uncertain and not in control.
That season gave me a new appreciation that “the Lord is God” in hard moments and “we are His.” Not even death can take us from Him. He is always good no matter what, and His love and faithfulness continue past this life and these struggles. Mostly I was thankful I got to know Jesus’s love and comfort more and for His presence in my pain.
He’s with you in yours, as well.
Andrea Chatelain’s mission is to meet women in their struggles and love them forward with God’s truth. She's part of the Wholly Loved Ministries team, is a Midwest mom of three, faith and family writer, and college English instructor to immigrants and refugees. It’s her joy to lead Bible studies in her neighborhood, church, and community because she believes Jesus transforms lives when His people boldly seek Him. Her writing reflects her love for Jesus and heart for fellow believers. Connect with Andrea more online at Glory-Be.org.
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Visit WhollyLoved.com for more inspirational messages or to book them for your next women's event
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Originally published Tuesday, 28 November 2023.
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