Giving Thanks

This morning I came across a post at a fairly new blog (to me) that challenged the readers to write about gratitude.
The first thing that came to mind when I read this was a song that I used to sing in my church-going days. It was written by Don Moen and entitled “Give Thanks”.
Although I don’t attend church these days, my love of the music that I enjoyed during my time in attendance has not diminished.
I appreciate songs for their beauty and their messages and many lines in this song still resonate as loudly with me today as they did back then.
I have often stated that music is an important part of my life. Music is emotive and can engender many things. This morning I choose to focus on gratitude and in doing so I find I recall music that corresponds with this.

Earlier I opened my emails to find one containing a link to the photos taken of our angel on the night that she left us. These were taken by a professional photographer who contributes her time through a group known as Heartfelt. This lady (who I have known personally for a number of years) contacted me through a comment on my FB post about the birth of Suzanne Joy and gave me her phone number in the heartbreaking event that I might need her. Sadly, I made a tear choked call less than two hours later. She travelled from an hour away to come and take photos at this time of sadness in our lives.
As I looked at the photos this morning the tears welled in my eyes from the naked grief shown on the faces of those in attendance at the time. I was also filled with gratitude for people such as Rachel who care enough to take time from their often busy lives to comfort others through their photography..
How often do we travel through life and take everything in our stride? Or curse our bad luck for hitting speed bumps?
How many of us stop and take the time to really think about our day and count our blessings before retiring each night?
How often do we give thanks with a grateful heart?

In his song, Don Moen ascribes all gratitude to Jesus.
Whatever (or whoever) we ascribe thanks to, we should do so with a grateful heart.
The lyrics of the song go on to say “Let the weak say ‘I am strong’ ” and “Let the poor say ‘I am rich’ “. It is in recognising just what we have to be grateful for that we grow stronger and richer. Maybe not in physical strength or material wealth but certainly in emotions and spirituality.
You don’t have to believe in God to be a spiritual person you know, and nothing precludes any person from becoming spiritually stronger or wealthier.

When we profess gratitude for whatever is going on in our life at any time, it deepens our knowledge and understanding.
Many of us are grateful when we are happy or filled with joy yet how many profess gratitude in their time of grief and sadness?
You may ask “What is there to be grateful for at this time”? But when you stop to ponder this question, the answers will astound you.
For out of suffering comes peace and a strength of character that you never believed existed.
For that I give thanks with a grateful heart.