“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
~ Psalm 100:4
This month we’ve talked a lot about gratitude: the pattern, the perspective and the practice of it. But today I feel that we’ve done enough talking. To wrap up this month, and to emphasize this subject with an exclamation mark, I simply want us to pray. Lift up your heart to our Father. He’s been abundant with his love and presence. We have much to be grateful for!
Heavenly Father,
Thank you.
I hardly know where to begin. You’ve blessed me far beyond the appreciation expressed in those too-small words.
Thank you for allowing me to be a mother. As difficult and challenging as it’s been at times, I wouldn’t have missed out on this adventure for the world. I’d do it all over again. I’d do the sleepless nights, the worried days, the long evenings of homework, the frustrating conflicts, and the painful tears. Yes, I’d do it all again, because being a mother has been one of my most treasured gifts.
You have blessed me with sons, young men whom you’ve both created and called. Thank you for entrusting them to me for a season. Thank you for forgiving me the many times I’ve fumbled and failed. Thank you for giving me wisdom at those moments when I didn’t know what to say.
Thank you for providing me with a supernatural love when I thought I couldn’t endure one more day. And thank you for reminding me that long after they leave the protection of my reach, you will have them safely within the realm of yours. What a reassurance it is to us to know my children will never—never!—be out of your sight.
Thank you for what you’ve taught me about faith and life through the journey of parenting. I’ve discovered your love is far deeper (and much more patient!) than I imagined. If the ache in my heart is a mere shadow of what you feel in yours for your children, I’m not sure how you bear the love you hold. And yet you do—generation after generation. Through Jesus, you’ve made us your heirs, children following in your footsteps, destined to forever be at home with you. I am forever grateful for your love.
Father, we have no idea what tomorrow holds. We have today, this moment alone. But I’m grateful that our days are fully known by you, our eternity is secured with you, and the children we know and love are even more so yours than they are ours.
With a full and grateful heart,
Amen.
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”
~ 2 Corinthians 9:15
