Blessed Be His Name

"give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

1 Thessalonians 5:18

I told my mom today that my mind was swimming. I read something earlier this week about thankfulness that did not resonate well with my soul. I believe the Bible is absolute truth. Therefore, whatever the Bible says about thankfulness is what I believe to be true.

In this "feel good" world we live in, we often think the only things we can be thankful for are those which make us happy, feel good about ourselves, you know the warm fuzzies. The book of James tells us to "consider it pure joy whenever we face trial of many kinds...". Pure joy?? Isn't that what we're supposed to feel when we feel thankful. How can we be thankful though when we're facing a trial? I guess this is where it gets tricky. It's also where I really don't want to mess up with my kids.

Thankfulness is not a feeling. It's a way of life when you're a follower of Christ. I believe He knows what's absolutely best for us. With that being said, we can have confidence that when we're enduring something difficult it is for refinement that will draw us closer to Him. Anything that draws us closer to Him is worthy of praise and thankfulness. Also, what pure joy that He wants us closer to Him.

I've been praying about the best way to approach this with the kids, mainly Juliana. God is so faithful. Tonight He gave me the words with Juliana and she got it. She was in the bath spelling all kinds of words with the foam letters we have. I asked her if she could sound out thankful. We worked together and before long it was splayed on the tiles. I asked her what she thought the word meant. She told me it means that you love your family and everything that God has given you. Good, we're on the right track. I asked her about the things she didn't alway like, was she thankful for those things? "Huh?" she said. I gave her the example of Trent messing up one of her art projects. I told her that the Bible tells us to be thankful in all situations so when Trent messes up her art project she can be thankful that God is teaching her to be patient with Trent. She sat there for a moment and her response was so profound for a five year old, so pure I was caught off guard. "So should I thank Trent when he messes up my art?" I was stunned. I cupped her little face in my hands "yes", I said.

She then asked me to leave the bathroom because she had a surprise for me. When she called me back in there was something new spelled out on the bath wall. "This is who thankfulness is about Mama" she said.

Blessed be His name. Praise you Father that you are at work in her life, in her heart.

Every blessing that He pours out whether it be a happy one or a hard one we need to turn back and praise Him. He loves us. Oh how He loves us. My prayer is that true thankfulness will be celebrated in our home all seasons not just this one. It will not be a feeling, it will be an act of obedience to our Heavenly Father who is faithful in all situations. I'm praying the conviction of thankfulness will continue to penetrate my heart so that I can be an example to Drake and our children.

Blessed by your name Father.