Being Grateful
Jade, in this fallen and broken world, you may come to believe that there is really nothing to be thankful for. But that is so far from the truth. There is a God, and He is the reason you have everything in this world to be thankful for.
I think about some of the things I am thankful for in this season, and it really blows my mind all the things that God has done for me, now that I’m almost forty. But before I discuss what I am thankful for with you, let’s discuss the power of gratitude. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV), it states, “…in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” But we can keep going, for there are many scriptures about giving thanks to God. One of my favorite passages in scripture touches on this topic as well:
Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
[6] Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; [7] and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Firstly, it is important to note that the key to peace is thanksgiving. Part of walking in faith is being thankful for what is going to be done, according to His perfect will. One of the aspects of faith is knowing that God will give you a peace that surpasses all understanding when you are aligned with Him, which is definitely something to be thankful for. There is nothing like having the peace of God over your life and in your heart. I have experienced many seasons where I was super anxious and could not find the cure to being secure in my decisions, and it was because I was not thankful for how far God had brought me despite everything I had gone through. Fear breeds anxiety, and worry is the polar opposite of gratitude. If you cannot see what God has done for you in the past, then you will not recognize what God is doing for you in the present. And walking in anxiety is one of the most difficult things you can do in this life.
The meditation of my heart in this current season is learning that God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). I have focused on that because if you see God as a man sitting in the heavens, looking down on us like a judge, you will miss all that there is to be thankful for. Even though God is the ultimate judge, He is also all around us, in nature and our environment, and He speaks to us in many different ways. Every time I see the sun rise, I am thankful for God allowing me to see it. Every time I see a butterfly, I know God is speaking to me, like a subtle “wink” from Him. There are many other signs I see that remind me of His presence, and I am thankful that I can finally see Him in everything. I find myself looking for His winks and nudges, and they happen so often now that I am now trained to know what to look for. There is a minute that goes by that I cannot find something to be thankful for in Him. Now that I notice the different ways He speaks to me, I always have a reason to be grateful.
And that’s the thing Jade, I’m not just grateful for the “stuff” He has given me. I am grateful for knowing that there is a Father in heaven (and on earth) that loves me and is taking care of all aspects of me. Not just my physical needs, but He is taking care of me spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. It is His character that astounds me, and if you take a moment to just ponder what makes God God, you may be astounded too. In Exodus 34:6-7 (NKJV), it states:
[6] And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, [7] keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and fourth generation.”
Yes, God forgives us and loves us, but He is also a just God and does not just “clear the guilty.” I have to be grateful for this too, because not only does He not forget those who have done wrong to me or others, He has not forgotten my iniquities as well. I’d rather pay the price now than in eternity or allow my children to suffer for my sins. God had taught me well through my mistakes, so what used to be shameful have now become valuable lessons that He is working for my good (Romans 8:28). Knowing this, I am even more thankful, as God disciplines those He loves (Hebrew 12:7-11).
Once you start to recognize and see the character of God, you cannot unsee Him in everything around you. Even little things reveal facets of His character. But for me, there have been some big moments in my life that have shown how much He loves me and how much I have to be grateful for. You will never not know how grateful I am that He gave me you, especially under the circumstances that I was experiencing when I discovered I was pregnant with you. I was 38 years old and had pretty much given up on the prospect of having biological children. There were major changes happening in my life and my relationships, and somehow you came to be at a time when I thought I was unfertile. I was like Hannah in the Bible, except I was not praying for you. I distinctly remember going through a supremely difficult time in my life several years ago and telling my mother I would never be able to have children, in despair. You were the ultimate surprise of a lifetime, and yet the circumstances surrounding your birth were just as astounding. Even my two beautiful male cats were instrumental in keeping me calm and supported while I was carrying you. So many good things came together in what was otherwise a very difficult situation, and that was because of God. So, because of His character I have much to be thankful for.
Jade, you will know what it is like to see the character of God all around you. Even in difficult times, there is much to be thankful for. I am hoping that as you get older I can teach you exactly what it means to be thankful for everything around you, knowing that God can use everything for your good. So always remember to have gratitude, especially for Your Father, and you will have the peace that surpasses all understanding. I love you and God loves you as well.
September 21, 2026
