Gratitude

I have so much to be thankful for. Seriously, it is overwhelming to even think about making a list. I also know, though, that much of it is all about perspective. There are those who could look at any number of things in my life and be thankful that it wasn’t theirs. And that’s okay. Because my journey is just that…mine. It is the path God has lead me down…for the sake of…me. For the sake of revealing himself to me in order that I might live right in the rich abundance of his love.

I am so thankful that he doesn’t always give me what I ask for. What a mess I would have made of things by now. And so, this song, by Nicole Nordeman, seems to most accurately capture my own feelings of gratitude this Thanksgiving. May we be blessed to know that, in our abundance or in our need, he delights to be our Living Water, Our Daily Bread, Our Light, Our Refuge, Our Peace. Happy Thanksgiving!

Gratitude

Send some rain, would You send some rain?
'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade
Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid
But maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If You never send us rain

Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight
Wrap us up and warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time
Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude
A lesson learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead
And if we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between
Everything we want and what we really need

So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight
Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You with gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace
But Jesus, would You please . . .