Menu- quinoa salad, almond butter balls, veggie pasta and tomatoes
I woke up with a a praise on my lips these last couple of days. The old devotion song rang in my ears. “Bless that wonderful name of Jesus.” I repeated it yesterday as I got ready for work. I said it to myself, over and over, as I did my job duties. This morning, I repeated it as I prepped a meal for later. “Oh, bless that wonderful name of Jesus.”
I try to start each day off in gratitude. I remember that getting up is a gift. Many were not so lucky. I thank God for the basic checklist:
- activity of my limbs
- senses- sight, hearing, etc.
- sound mind
- shelter
- clothes
- food
I acknowledge all of those things with an attitude of gratitude…but not necessarily with an attitude of praise.
There is a difference.
It is the idea of appreciation versus admiration. I can appreciate the good deed of a stranger but not admire them. The terms imply two different types of relationships. If one does not know God but recognizes his work in their life, then a simple, “thank you,” will suffice.
But when you know him…
These past couple days have made me look at my morning routine. I did not realize that my daily ‘thank you’s’ were basic and not representative of my relationship with the one I love. He is so much more than my provider. He is my loving Father. He does not give me what I need because I need it. He gives it to me because he loves me.
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palm of my hands…”
Isaiah 49:15-16
I have not done a good job of maintaining the praise that I woke up with, throughout the day. I have allowed the tasks and honestly, a lot of useless information to cloud my vision of him. But he sees me clearly, everyday, on the palm of his hands. He specifically placed me there. I forget about him throughout the day, but he never forgets.
I may not wake up everyday with this beautiful attitude of praise I’ve had the last two days. I may be tempted to slip back into mere gratitude. At those moments, I must stop. I have to remind myself that this is the one I love. This is the one who opens his hands and sees my face. He deserves my admiration. He deserves my love.
(For more on God’s Love, this devotion is a great explanation of his love for us. https://www.first15.org/07/30/god-is-a-loving-father/ )