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Thanksgiving is being grateful to God for what He has done. In the Old Testament, King David engaged Levites to celebrate Yahweh and offer up constant thanksgiving, praise and worship. Gratitude can be a way of life. We can be grateful to God in small and in large things. I love this verse about thankfulness:

Let joy be your continual feast. Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (TPT)

Remembering what the Lord has done for us is a great way to anchor ourselves during the storms of life. I’ve heard Pastors Bill Johnson, Kris Vallotton and Dylan Van der Merwe all preach on this subject.

When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight”.

So, Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, and said to them, “Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.

Joshua 4:1-7 (NIV)

So why did God command this?

These stones were to be reminders of God’s goodness and served as a sign of His provision and to teach generations of Israelites about the event when God gave passage across the Jordan. There are more reminders in the bible. The Passover serves to recall the miracles God performed and the exodus from Egypt. Additionally, the Lord’s Supper is a reminder of Jesus’ death and resurrection and reassurance of his return.

There are many reminders in the bible of the goodness of God. We need only read them to bring them to mind. They can lift our spirits and bless us. They will change the atmosphere to one of hope, joy and praise.

Keeping a record of what God has done for us personally as individuals is a wonderful way to recall His blessings. When I think of all the ways I have been blessed by the Lord, it nearly brings me to tears.

My loving father has been with me always. From before I was born, He was with me and loved me. He blessed me with good parents who loved and cared for me.  They made sure I was fed, clothed and received a good education. They took me to church and instilled a strong work ethic in me, as well as a sense of fun.

I have been gifted with my beloved husband who has never faltered in his love for me in 32 years. I have been rewarded with 3 lovely children, their partners and 6 grandchildren, not to mention another on the way.

I am healthy and well and I am employed in good purposeful work that I enjoy. I belong to a close and loving extended family and have great friends and neighbours.  I am also a member of a powerful church family and a couple of fellowship groups.

God has provided well for us, with a nice house in a friendly neighbourhood and two reliable cars. We have food on the table and can pay our bills.

Years ago, when I turned my face from God and walked away, He never gave up on me. He wooed me back into His light and love and redeemed me.

Last year he provided a miracle, and our granddaughter was born healthy and well, despite the dire predictions of the medical profession. Two and a half years ago, when my grandson was diagnosed with meningitis, he returned home within a week with no signs of any issue. Although he requires speech therapy now, that is a minor inconvenience compared with the outcome they were expecting. Four years ago, when my other grandson was on life support in the Queensland Children’s Hospital, God kept him alive, and he is a happy and healthy boy today.

If we journal all the wonderful things God has done in our lives we can meditate on each of them. When we read and re-read all the ways he has blessed us on a regular basis, it builds our faith and hope. Praise rises up in us and we experience enormous gratitude and joy. It reminds us that God is good, He cares and is with us always. We are not abandoned.

I hope this blog has blessed you. If you would like to comment, or subscribe, please fill in the section below. Alternatively you can message me directly at Jesus4Generations.com@gmail.com. God Bless You!