“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”
Psalm 107:1
It was last year, early in lockdown when her Mommy was teaching online, that our granddaughter Harper Rae and I began our adventures together. Harper Rae was 4 years old at the time, a curious bundle of pure joy. One morning, we were on our way to what she calls the “Mud Creek” a few blocks from our house, when she said, “Let’s skip, JoJo!” In that moment, I didn’t care what I looked like or who might see. We joined hands and skipped down the street.
As we were frolicking (at least that’s what I’d like to think we looked like,) she spontaneously exclaimed, “Thank you, God for the trees! Thank you, God for the mailbox! Thank you, God for the pickup truck!” (That warmed my heart, because she had observed the way I often express my gratitude to God when we are outside). Our neighbor stopped doing yard work and waited for an explanation. Harper Rae simply said, “We’re on an adventure walk and we’re just thanking God!”
Oh, that we might continue to learn from our children! My prayer for all of us is that we intentionally begin to practice embodying gratitude- ThanksLIVING. In the days to come, may we do our best to be more mindful of God’s presence, goodness, faithfulness, and compassion for all. Let’s thank God for being God … for being with us every moment of every day, for being the only constant in a life of change.
True gratitude is about the Giver and not the gift. It always points to God and not to us. While life circumstances may present challenge and pain, God’s love and faithfulness is unwavering. God’s loving-kindness, grace, and mercy are the same yesterday, today, and forever.
“Whoever is wise, let them ponder these things, let all people reflect on the steadfast love of God.”
Psalm 107: 43
