There is always, always something to be thankful for.
This weekend is the time Canadians make an effort to be thankful together.
When we go beyond mutual disgruntlements, push past disappointment, drown out the voice of despair with the song of hope – then we find the gold.
It’s right there. You’re surrounded by it. You’re soaking in it. Can you see it?
Thank You.
Thank You, Lord.
Thank You.
You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
(Isaiah 55:12 NIV)
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen for the morning,
more than watchmen for the morning.
(Psalm 130:5,6)
The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
The God of glory thunders;
The Lord is over many waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
(Psalm 29:3,4)
Let the rivers clap their hands in glee!
Let the hills sing out their songs of joy before the Lord
(Psalm 98)
I suppose it’s what we are accustomed to. I do feel sympathy for the people who move here from hot countries and who need to don layers of warm clothing, even in the summer. I have lived in a cold place most of my life, and my body is not happy with heat. My husband loves to bask in the hot sun. Me? I look for relief. You can always put more clothes on, but there is a limit to how many you can take off.
This has been an unusually hot summer, with temperatures in the 32-39 C degree range for weeks (in the 90’s F). Since heat waves usually do not last more than a week or so in this part of the world, few people have air conditioning. This week I was able to sit in the forest beside a beautiful stream as it tumbled its way down the mountainside to join Kootenay Lake. The water was cold, and a refreshing breeze calmed my over-cooked soul.
I rested in the coolness of the forest and joined the waters in a song of joy before the Lord.
You are good, Lord.
It’s fire season in the mountains, and we have been in a prolonged heat wave. Yesterday, as I was walking in the woods I felt a drop of rain on my head. Rain!
I am learning that thankfulness attracts God’s favour.
Soon the forest leaves dripped with beautiful rain.
For every drop of kindness, I thank you, Lord.
Let my teaching fall on you like raindrops;
let what I say collect like the dew,
Like rain sprinkling the grass,
like showers on the green plants.
I will proclaim the name of the Eternal;
I will utter greatness to our God.
(Deut 32:2,3)
Christ is not a reservoir but a spring. His life is continual, active and ever passing on with an outflow as necessary as its inflow. If we do not perpetually draw the fresh supply from the living Fountain, we shall either grow stagnant or empty. It is, therefore, not so much a perpetual fullness as a perpetual filling.
– A.B. Simpson
Charis: Subject to Change 