APPRECIATION
11th Sep 2024
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.
His mercies never come to an end;
They are new every morning,
New every morning:
Great is your faithfulness, O Lord, Great is your faithfulness!
It is so easy to take things for granted and enjoy, but not express thanks! I found myself singing these words of Scripture set to music and began questioning myself - how appreciative am I of God’s never failing love? Of his care so freely available? Do I express my love in words, am I thankful?
It’s relatively easy to worship in a corporate setting - but what about spontaneous praise and appreciation? What is my reaction to God’s presence and activity in the moment by moment of life?
This morning we were thanking God for food at breakfast time here in Bulgaria, and our son Craig, with whom we are staying, “was thanking God for a glorious new day, and for God’s love which we had all day to experience!” Again I found myself wanting to be appreciative and vocal and consistent in my praise. I don’t want to be dull or hardhearted - rather alive and thankful.
So I have set my heart to be grateful and alive to the consistent, wonderful, never ending love and mercy of God. I want to honour Him and to be aware of the endless ways He watches over me and my family. Sometimes I am unaware of the detail, but know His love is constant and new every day.
We have recently been in Switzerland to be together with family and share in the Celebration of the life of a 103 year old family member, who had been called into the presence of Jesus. She was shining example of someone who lived in thanksgiving. Five years previously she had a stroke which greatly limited her life.
However, the care home where she spent her last days were impressed with the words, “I’m grateful” and “Thank you so much” that were her constant response. Thanksgiving, appreciation and being grateful were the hallmarks of her life and faith. I am challenged to follow her example throughout my life.
by Joyce Sibthorpe
