“ … Every good thing I have comes from you.”  —Psalm 16:2b NLT

A little while back, a friend helped me organize my prayer time using day-by-day topics. I decided to make Thursdays my day to try and focus entirely on thankfulness. I say “try” because it’s hard for me not to drift into “asking” instead of “thanking,” but when I do, I’m learning to refocus my thoughts on gratitude. This past Thursday, as I settled into my chair on our porch for thankful Thursday time with God, our new puppy, Sadie, joined me and lay down by my feet. She was the first on my long list of “Thank You, God, for … .”

In that moment, I was reminded of how intimately God knows us, loves us, and often shows His love by giving us very good gifts.

In January, we had to say goodbye to our dog, Marley. She had been a faithful companion and friend for many years. Found wandering in Texas, we were her fourth home because her strong temperament had overwhelmed her previous owners. We spent years training her and loving her, and suddenly and unexpectedly, we lost her—our hearts were broken.

As many of you know, when a family is used to having a dog and that companion passes away, something is missing. Our home was no different. We considered getting another dog, but my husband wisely suggested waiting until the time was right. September came, and we began to look for our next dog. Three weeks ago, Sadie, a nine-month-old mix with a sweet, playful temperament, filled our lives again with dog hair, chasing dragonflies, and whining at 5 a.m. to please come play with her. I couldn’t be happier! (Or more tired those first few days.)

We have much to be thankful for—in gifts and in loss. God has a deeply personal connection to humankind! In Psalm 139, David describes how God knit him together in his mother’s womb (v.13), how precious are God’s thoughts of him (v.17), and how God places His hand of blessing on his head (v.5). In Psalm 37, we are told God will give us our heart’s desires (v.4), and then in James we are reminded that every good and perfect gift is from above (1:17).

God’s most lavish gift to us was the gift of a Savior—a Savior sent while we were still in our sin to bring us back to Him. He lavishes us with gifts every day that meet our deep needs. Let’s bless God by saying “thank you” to Him for His very good gifts, whether you are in a time of abundance or, perhaps even more importantly, in a time of great struggle. God is a good, good Father.

What are you thankful for today? Have you told Him? Why not thank Him now?

Heavenly Father, I thank you for ______________________________________.

Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love,
so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. (Psalm 90:14)

Judy Wilson

Sweet Selah Ministries

Vision
To inspire a movement away from the belief that “busy is better”
and toward the truth of God’s Word that stillness and knowing
Him matter most—and will be reflected in more effective work and service

Mission
To offer biblical resources and retreats that help women pause (Selah)
and love God more deeply as they know Him more intimately (Sweet)

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Click over to our Donation page … and thanks.

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