30 Days of Thankfulness ~ Day 1
Traditions carry a lot of weight with me. My attempts at this annual tradition haven't always gone as I have hoped, but I feel it is worth the attempt regardless. The practice of intentionally focusing one's heart and mind on things worthy of thanksgiving to God in this season can only bring about growth in the inner heart. So, I embark on this journey once again and I encourage you to join me.
My approach this year is different than in years past. Usually I would focus on the tangible, relatable to my every day things - people, nature, food, events - all surely things worthy of thanksgiving; this year I want to turn my focus instead toward the Giver of those things for which I am thankful. I want to see in a new way, through acknowledgment who He is, that He is all I ever truly have need of. That He Is all and is in all.
Each day I will focus on a different aspect of who our God is through the study of his Names, His attributes, His character. I hope in the end to see Him more clearly than I have before, to know Him more intimately, and to recognize more fully how in need of Him I am and how thankful I can be that He is all I need.
I love the way the Good News Translation reads in the following passage:
"You, Lord, are all I have, and you give me all I need; my future is in your hands. How wonderful are your gifts to me; how good they are!
I am always aware of the Lord 's presence; he is near, and nothing can shake me.
You will show me the path that leads to life; your presence fills me with joy and brings me pleasure forever."
Psalm 16:5-6, 8, 11 GNT
In John 14:6, although maybe a bit immature in his understanding of Jesus' relation to God the Father, Philip recognizes that God is all that we need - "Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us."" (ESV) Truly, if God is all you have, you have all you need!
May we find as we study Him more - His grace, His goodness, His immeasurableness, Him as Healer, Provider, Redeemer, Friend - may we find Him to be all we need, and may our hearts sing in thanksgiving and praise!
My approach this year is different than in years past. Usually I would focus on the tangible, relatable to my every day things - people, nature, food, events - all surely things worthy of thanksgiving; this year I want to turn my focus instead toward the Giver of those things for which I am thankful. I want to see in a new way, through acknowledgment who He is, that He is all I ever truly have need of. That He Is all and is in all.
Each day I will focus on a different aspect of who our God is through the study of his Names, His attributes, His character. I hope in the end to see Him more clearly than I have before, to know Him more intimately, and to recognize more fully how in need of Him I am and how thankful I can be that He is all I need.
I love the way the Good News Translation reads in the following passage:
"You, Lord, are all I have, and you give me all I need; my future is in your hands. How wonderful are your gifts to me; how good they are!
I am always aware of the Lord 's presence; he is near, and nothing can shake me.
You will show me the path that leads to life; your presence fills me with joy and brings me pleasure forever."
Psalm 16:5-6, 8, 11 GNT
In John 14:6, although maybe a bit immature in his understanding of Jesus' relation to God the Father, Philip recognizes that God is all that we need - "Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us."" (ESV) Truly, if God is all you have, you have all you need!
May we find as we study Him more - His grace, His goodness, His immeasurableness, Him as Healer, Provider, Redeemer, Friend - may we find Him to be all we need, and may our hearts sing in thanksgiving and praise!
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