Give Thanks First

Don’t wait until everything’s wonderful to give thanks; give thanks first, and see everything in a little better light.

Don't wait until everything's wonderful to give thanks; give thanks first, and see everything in a little better light. Click To Tweet

Beauty Exists in the Thorns of Life

It’s hard to be grateful when life holds so much pain. But if we wait for that perfect moment to express our gratitude, we’ll miss much of the goodness in our life, because great beauty exists within the thorns of life. 

If we wait for that perfect moment to express our gratitude, we'll miss much of the goodness in our life, because great beauty exists within the thorns of life. Click To Tweet

With rain comes a rainbow. 

With winter snows comes moisture for spring growth. 

With storms come appreciation for the mundane calm. 

With fire comes renewed growth.

None of us relish the hard things in life, but it’s those hard things that give us perspective, empathy, and a deeper longing for heaven. The tough things of life prepare us for our eternal home.

The Apostle Paul assures us, “affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope” (Romans 5:3-4, CSB). We may not see the growth right away, maybe not for years, but we can trust it’s there. 

Prayer of Thanks

Thank You, Lord, for Your wisdom and Your understanding, Your creativity and Your majesty. Thank You for Your love and Your mercy in giving us what we most need instead of what we most want. May we be ever grateful for the good, when life is anything but perfect. May we believe the beauty is coming even after we’ve been pricked by the thorns. May we have faith that You are growing us through the pain of the fire. May we be trust we’ll be stronger after the storm has subsided. May we look for the good even when we can’t see the coming perfect. May we give thanks first, because You are with us, Lord, and where You are, we can trust that there is always good, with the perfect awaiting us. In the most perfect and Holy name of Jesus, Amen! 

Give Thanks First

This Thanksgiving, and everyday, let’s give thanks in the middle of the imperfect, praising God for the good that is and trusting Him for the rest. Let’s give thanks first, before we see the flowers blooming.

This Thanksgiving, and everyday, let's give thanks in the middle of the imperfect, praising God for the good that is and trusting Him for the perfect to come. Let's give thanks first, before we see the flowers blooming. Click To Tweet

Happy Thanksgiving, my Friends! 

Reflections: No matter how difficult this Thanksgiving is for you, what’s one good that you can be grateful for? And if that’s too hard, give thanks first while looking ahead to the perfect to come when we’re welcomed into our eternal home.   

By His grace ≈

Julie