Staying Grateful...

A few weeks ago, I listened to and was moved to action because of the teaching of a famous Christian minister. The message spoke about keeping "a book of remembrance…" I started mine today and wanted to share on the importance of keeping such a record... Perhaps because we're humans, we find ourselves forgetting the many blessings God has bestowed upon us. We sometimes overlook the mercy He shows by forgiving and forgetting our sins! And other times we simply don't see His mighty hand moving situations around when we aren't paying close attention. Friends, truth is the God who created us continues to tend to our every need. He loves us beyond measure and lavishes his loving care without holding back. Thus necessitating our praise of Him! Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us to "give thanks in all circumstances..." He is clear here to say ALL and not some. In our journey, there'll be no doubt joyful and challenging times. During the joyful times of celebrations, we must pause and reflect on how God faithfully brought us there and acknowledge it by praising him! Likewise in those difficult life seasons, He is the master-mind behind the scenes, weaving situations and working it all out for our good- so yes, we still must praise him even then! Thus the purpose of the 'Book of Remembrance' This book or journal is to serve as an inventory of God's blessings. Life moves along so quickly at times that we only momentarily acknowledge the undeserved favor you received from someone else, the near-accident that could've taken your life, or any such by the way blessings we may call the little blessings. Having such a record will serve as an encouragement during challenging life seasons. One of the most 'troubled' persons from Bible days is Job. A man who lost everything he had, except his life....but even him amidst that heart-wrenching loss encourages us in Job 36:24 to "remember to praise His work, about which people have sung." And so the lesson is this; through our ups and downs, like Job we must continually praise God our deliverer. It is my hope that as we journey along in 2010 and henceforth, we'll pay more attention and be more thankful for the many blessings, little or not that our loving God sends our way. And ultimately such a grateful look out on life will keep us amazed by and forever grateful to the lover of our souls...

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