GRATEFUL

December 2021 is here, and before you know it another year is almost over. Hallelujah we made it! Folks, you will honestly agree with me that 2021 has been a bit of a roller coaster year. What a year!  So many highs and lows were recorded this year for most of us and the entire world at large.

In the words of the psalmist,

Bless the Lord, O my soul;

And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s

Yes, we may not have checked off all our goals for the year. Some of us lost our loved ones but we are alive and that is enough reason to say a big thank you to our Creator. Some recorded great successes in their business endeavors and for this, we should all be grateful. We made it to the last month of the year.


The song write reminds us in Psalms 124:1-7

“If the LORD had not been on our side when people attacked us,
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say;
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us:
Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:
Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:
Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.

 

 Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.
Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped”.

A heart of gratitude is what God expects from us. The scripture reminds us not to forget His benefits…. the faithfulness of God towards us is new every morning; It is by the mercies of God that we are not consumed. How great is His unending mercies. God's mercies prevailed for us hence we didn't lose everything.

Some may ask what are we truly grateful for?  I know we have been through a lot this year and may not even have something tangible to be thankful for. Some people lost jobs, dealt with sickness and diseases but the good news is that we are still alive! God kept us in spite of all we’ve been through. His grace and faithfulness kept us.

What would we have been without His grace and mercies? Have you ever wondered if God never cared and His grace and mercies were absent from us?

Gratitude sometimes is a sacrifice. You may not like it and even believe God has been unfair and the cause of your misfortune. Some think God is distant and that he doesn't care about their lives anymore so why thank Him? In spite of all the happenings, the love of God our father remains the same. He has not loved us any less and any more. His hands are wide open to comfort us and grant us grace. He is a good father and being alive is just enough reason to be grateful.

I am grateful for God's grace and plenteous mercies. I am grateful for my wonderful family and friends. Another thing I am grateful to God for are the mountains, and the valleys He brought me through because it made me know Him better and depended on Him more. He rescued me. 

What are you thankful for? 

Thanksgiving, a grateful heart is one God is endeared to. As we ride through this last month in 2021, stop, reflect and see how God has come through for you in so many ways. Give thanks and be grateful for ALL He has done. A grateful heart provokes God to do even more in your lives.

I am grateful on your behalf and looking forward to the greater things God has in place for us in 2022!



In His Service,

Chichi O.