Praise the LORD, O my soul. All my inmost being praise His holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. Psalm 103:1-2
My heart is so full of thanksgiving and gratefulness to God. I had been praying for months about how I would manage with the feet for my son’s wedding. Many people were praying – including some of you (many heart-felt thanks). I am shouting from the roof tops that my God answered those prayers.
My feet are not healed, but I was able to do the wedding. I was able to participate in all the activities that were planned. The dinners out on the newly completed patio. family time after the wedding. Flower arranging on Thursday and Friday. The rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Then THE WEDDING.
LIFE
To give a backstory – I sit in my chair with my feet propped up on my mile-high stack of pillows all day, every day. I do not walk around the house, do chores, cook meals, drive, or anything. Coach has me doing very limited activity, since October 2020. I am not sure how good my math is, but folks, that is 10 months in my room. Sounds awful when written out. And it has been hard. Very. Now you can understand the miracle more completely.
I danced with my son at his wedding. I walked up to the ceremony site on my son’s arm. I did not use my wheelchair at all. Mind you, I was not taking unnecessary steps and I did limit distance, but, I was upright and mobile. I had to wear my boots for the wedding, but my lovely dress covered them.
I am in awe of God.
Take a moment with me, please.
Worthy. Awesome. Holy. Great. Mighty. Powerful. Perfect. Good. Father. Saviour.
There was a hand-painted sign at the entrance to the wedding aisle – TO GOD BE THE GLORY. Yes, and amen. This is my heart’s song right now. Great things He has done. Yes, that sign was for the bride and groom, but I’m claiming it for my own.
Forget not all His benefits. Psalm 103:2
On a day like today, a few days after a momentous family occasion, it is simple to praise God. Look at the great things He has done. One cannot help but praise Him.
It’s the other moments that one has to continue to praise or choose to praise. The dark nights. Like those that I had on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Where sleep was elusive because of screaming feet. Or, when the days and months leading up to the wedding, when my progress was slow, our accident happened, comments made that hurt rather than helped. It is then, that I have to forget not all His benefits.
He still bestows benefits. Every day. In a sunrise or sunset. In a gentle breeze. A baby’s smile. A tender hug from a spouse. God is good all the time. Whether I choose to acknowledge His goodness does not negate His goodness, nor His benefits.
What pleases the Lord? My praise. My worship. When I choose to thank Him when it’s difficult. It’s what sets us apart from the world. The world shakes its fist at God when times are tough. A Christ-follower chooses to please Him.
IT'S A CHOICE
I would be amiss to say that it is easy peasy. It is not. It is an intentional act of the will to praise God in good times and bad. The will can be a stubborn thing – just watch a 2-year old in action. So, when we direct our will into praise and worship, God gets ALL the glory. Every last drop. And, we receive as well. Peace. That peace that surpasses all understanding.
It is true. I have lived it. I know it. I love it. I love Him. I worship God. I am in awe of God my Saviour.
Will you join me in intentionally praising Him for all His benefits? For looking beyond our hurts and just shout out praise? In faith, believing that He works all things together for our good?
PRAYER
Father God, You are so good. Thank You for answering prayer. Thank You for ALL Your benefits. I choose to praise You for all things and in all things. I praise You. And worship You. With all my inmost being. In the Name that is above all other names - JESUS. Amen
