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Girl Meets God
by Melissa Mathews
Augustine of Hippo
"I will praise You as long as I live…
My soul will be satisfied as with the riches of foods."
Psalm 63:4-5
Several years ago, probably when I was in a crabby funk, I bought our family a big, empty blue journal. On December 14, 2000, I wrote this paragraph in the front of it:
"In an effort to foster a spirit of gratitude concerning all our many blessings, and as a memorial to all the ways God has blessed us and will continue to bless us in the future, the Mathews family has begun this Journal of Blessings. At any point, when we feel we have been blessed, in any way financially or otherwise, we will record it in this book."
Sounds really nice, doesn't it?
I went back through the journal (that I had a little trouble finding today) and counted the "Entries of Thanksgiving" we had made in the journal. There were only 15-- fifteen times in the last five years that we had made the effort to be grateful and write a memorial to what the Lord had done.
That doesn't sound nice.
Maybe that's why I find myself discontent more often than contented, because I don't take the time to be thankful for each gift from the Lord, no matter how small or large--. like a car that runs, four rambunctious boys, a hospital that is only 20 minutes away, and the five dollar Starbucks' gift card that is in my purse. Or what about indoor plumbing, grocery stores, airplanes to go see my parents, and hand lotion after a day of Thanksgiving dishes?
One day a year is not enough time to spend on the valuable skill of giving thanks. Chances are, if we are not thanksgiving, we are complaining. You know it's true! Maybe that's why Paul said this in his final words to the Church at Thessalonica: "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
So I'm dusting off the Mathews' Family Journal of Blessings. And we are going to use it—I won't commit to everyday, but every week I can do. We will be living thanksgiving on more than just one day this year. (Really, just ask me the next time you see me!)
Will you?
Scott and I have been married 22 years and currently live in Northern California where we are beginning year five as church planters. I also teach 12th grade English and love it.
I would love to hear from you. Email me anytime at melissa.g.mathews@gmail.com
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