Thanks Giving: choose your seat

Christine DiGiacomo
12 minutes ago
3 min read

Grateful or Ungrateful? You get to pick your seat!

podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/1cb75952/thanks-giving-choose-your-seat

Good Day!

When we choose to be thankful, it changes us.

On the other hand, when we do not think much about being thankful, or expressing it, some change is in order. Unexpressed thanks or gratitude is not worth very much.

Something about the prayers and writings of believers from years gone by moves me, and I'm praying that these offerings will fill your heart and mind with thankfulness toward our great God.

This prayer by Susanna Wesley is beautiful—I love her affirmation that God is in control, no matter what is going on in this world. For God’s sovereignty, she is filled with thanksgiving and praise. I wanna have that same

I thank you, O God, for the relief and satisfaction of mind

that come with the firm assurance that you govern the world;

for the patience and resignation to your providence

that are afforded as I reflect that even the tumultuous

and irregular actions of the sinful are, nevertheless,

under your direction,

you who are wise, good, and omnipotent,

and have promised to make all things work together

for good to those who love you.

Susanna Wesley, 1669-1742, Mother of 19 children, including John Wesley

And now, a brief thought from her son: Eternal God, my sovereign Lord, I acknowledge all I am, all I have is yours. Give me such a sense of your infinite goodness that I may return to you all possible love and obedience. John Wesley, 1703-1791, founder of the Methodist Church

Join your heart with mine, and let’s thank God together:

“Now thank we all our God, maker of Heaven and earth . . .

while much is uncertain on a daily basis, we know You hold the future,

and we know You hold our hand.

We look to You, O God, and lift our hearts in thankfulness to You.

Daily, we underestimate your power,

and we often fail to note how you are working around us...

We thank you, Lord, that you would choose to involve us in your work;

we thank you that indeed you cause all to work together for good to those who love you.

That is a promise issued forth from the hand of Paul¹,

an inspiration breathed into him by your Spirit.

It is good and right to thank you and praise you, God—

no matter our circumstances… maybe especially in times of pain and difficulties.

I think of Paul and Silas, who in great physical pain, would not be silenced;

no instead, they prayed and sang praises to you, Lord …

and you miraculously worked out their situation.

I think of Paul who later wrote to the Philippians, while again in prison—this time in Rome—saying, ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.’²

Thank you for life and breath and strength--

we offer ourselves to you this day." Amen and Amen

Friend, are you in anguish over something in your life? I am certain you are praying, but then take the next step: do what Paul did—thank God, praise God. Watch him come and work, notice that your faith is strengthened by speaking out the truth of the God who loves, hears and answers prayer.

While it is true that my heart, too, is gripped by several situations this week, I got intentional--grabbed some paper and a pencil and began listing things I wanted to 'thank God for'. I carried that paper throughout the day, adding to the list. Here's another idea: put your phone down, put a pad of paper and a pen beside your bed; before you turn off your light, write down five things for which you are thankful. Then, go to sleep with thanksgiving on your lips. Awaken to see it, and smile as you start your day, and declare "This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it."3 Ah, it is good to be alive! Do it again next night. Sow a habit, foster an attitude of thankfulness.

See, you might be grateful, you might be thankful even in your heart and mind, but unless you express it—to God, how will he know? Grateful or ungrateful? Choose your seat! Express your gratitude to God. To others.

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends!

Throwing it back to this old song by THIRD DAY!

LISTEN:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMwJlN9eN4Q&list=RDOMwJlN9eN4Q&start_radio=1

Count me 'thankful' ...

Christine