"Thank You for bringing people into my life."
(Ruth Myers "31 Days of Praise" Day 19 p82)
"Let my life be the proof of Your Love"
(King and Country)
"I have called you friends"
(Jesus, John 15:15)
Yesterday's focus of praise was on the reciprocal delight that God experiences when we have faith in Him and praise Him - which reverberates back unto us and gives us so much joy. Today's focus is another insight into that joy. Christ says:
"I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.…" (John 15:2) Our joy - and God's joy - not only comes from our relationship with Him, but our relationship with others.
Throughout this praise season, we have been following along Ruth Myers' "31 Days of Praise" book. For today's praise, Ruth gives us a blank page in the book and invites us to write down a list of all the people in our lives for whom we are grateful. I like that idea, as there are so many people who form the intricate web of moving parts that allows us function that way we need and desire.
For instance, think about all the people it took to get that meal onto your plate: all the different people on the farm, the shipper, the packager, the people who make the packaging, the drivers, the workers at the store who stock the shelves, the cashier...and then the people who made it possible for you to purchase that item: your employer, your clients, the bankers - even the people who print the money. And of course all the people in their lives who got all of those people in their place, such as their parents and teachers.
The list goes on and on...and how often are we grateful to the service people that provide things like mail delivery, garbage pickup, electric/internet service, propane delivery, the builders, plumbers, the road workers...it is often the case that we cannot personally thank or express appreciation to all the behind-the-scenes people that make our worlds go 'round. But I really should express my appreciation to those whose paths I do cross, because it's probably rare they hear gratitude, and when the joy of the Lord is shared - even with a simple smile and thank you - it can be contagious. Imagine if that person asked, "What's different about you - where does your joy come from?" What an opportunity!
Regardless of thanking others in person, we should indeed remember to thank God for all the people in our lives - animals too. I thank God that I have had a dear pet in my life for 10 years, who has comforted me and been a companion through many transitions during which constant human companionship was absent. He may be "just a cat", but he has made me laugh, invoked tenderness, taught me patience, and has brought so much joy into my life.
We truly blessed by the presence of others in our lives, from spouses and children to bus drivers and cats. The Lord has gifted us with relationship. And we learn about our relationship with the heavenly Father and our brother Jesus Christ when we pay attention to and act with intention in our earthly relationships.
Jesus said: 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' (Matthew 25:40). Clearly relationship is essential to the Lord.
Ruth Myers highlights the passage 1 John 4:11-12: "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us."
So when we show love to others, they literally can see God through us. This is a great responsibility, and also a great opportunity and joy. How blessed we are to be windows unto our Father!
PRAISE REPORT!
I am Grateful for You
My son's teachers, I am grateful for you.
My employers, I am grateful for you.
Grocery store employees, I am grateful for you.
Farmers, I am grateful for you.
Landlord, I am grateful for you.
Policeman, I am grateful for you.
Pastor, I am grateful for you.
Waitress, I am grateful for you.
Janitor, I am grateful for you.
Technicians, I am grateful for you.
Seamstresses in factories, I am grateful for you.
Sunday school teacher, I am grateful for you.
Favorite band on youtube, I am grateful for you.
Online ministries and people who take the time to share information - I am grateful for you.
Lawyers and judges, I am grateful for you.
Funeral directors, I am grateful for you.
People who are cleaning up garbage on the side of the highway, I am grateful for you.
Lady at the toll booth, I am grateful for you.
Car repair man, I am grateful for you.
Emergency response workers, doctors and nurses, I am grateful for you.
Little children who make me smile, I am grateful for you.
Partner, I am grateful for you.
Jesus, I am so grateful for you.
Lord God, thank you for all of your children who each have a different calling, a unique finger print, a story-filled face. May I see Christ in each person, and may they see Him through me. Thank you for every opportunity You present me with, Lord, to meet and interact with people. May You use me to bring others close to You. May I be a light, as Christ called us to be. Thank You, Jesus, for giving us this mandate and for equipping us for the job.
Thy Will Be Done!
Learn more about the 31 Days of Praise!
Resources:
- Ruth Myers, "31 Days of Praise: Enjoying God Anew", Multnomah Books, 1994