Mom Heart Moments #26

I will sing of lovingkindness and justice, to You, O LORD, I will sing praises.

ONE OF THE REASONS DAVID IS such a picture of a man after God’s own heart is that he constantly wrote songs about God’s goodness and faithfulness, desiring to thank and praise Him. While David was king, he led his people in giving God the glory due His name. He called them to sing, play instruments, worship, and dance, and he joined them with all his heart.

We must find ways to do the same in our own homes. Practical applications of thanksgiving give our children patterns that they will practice the rest of their lives.

Truth be told, most of my own prayers are petitions and requests. Yet I am learning that thanksgiving is an exercise of my character that eventually influences my heart. When I look at my life with thankful eyes, it lifts my heart to see how truly blessed I am and makes all the other issues of my life seem less important. Gratitude gives me power to believe Him for great things. It causes my soul to soar because it directs my gaze heavenward instead of toward the earth. It is impossible for my heart to be truly thankful, acknowledging God’s sovereignty over all situations, and to be bitter at the same time.

Increasing thankfulness in my own life is something I am working on. I’ve determined to write down what I appreciate most about God each year. Choosing to be thankful and learning to be content will fill your soul with peace and kindness. It is a choice, a habit of practice, which will indeed create in you a more beautiful soul. Practicing what you want to be —what God wants you to be —just because it is right will always end up blessing you in the end.

Do you have a plan to build your thankfulness toward God? How might you begin, today?