Thankfulness

I remember in 2009, I had such a deep desire in my heart to do something special for God. I wanted to give him a gift that was unexpected, even to dare to try to surprise him... like that would even be possible! I was so filled (still am!) with a deep realisation of the greatness of his redemption in my life. I know that I would not be who I am now without the overwhelming and saving grace of God. Who knows what hole I’d be living in?
And my response was to want to bless God back. 
But how does one surprise God? 


As a newly married woman, something that is foremost in my mind is, how can we keep the love that my husband and I feel for each other now alive for the coming months and years? I have been asking God for his secrets to marital success. 


This past week, something that I feel God has been saying more than once, has to do with thankfulness. I feel that there is a secret power in being thankful that I do not quite comprehend. But I do feel it’s effects. 
When I am cranky or down, just stopping and remembering some of the amazing blessings in my life has instantly changed my outlook and lifted my heart mood immediately.
I think that my honeymoon would have been far less appreciated and made less memorable if I had not taken the time to thank God throughout it for the little blessings each day.
And for further proof of the secret power of thankfulness, I notice that the most joy-filled people I know are those brimming with gratefulness for the little beauties in life.
This morning in my reading, I came to Psalm 50


Psalm 50
14 
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,[b]
    and perform your vows to the Most High,


23 
The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
    to one who orders his way rightly
    I will show the salvation of God!”


[b] Or Make thanksgiving your sacrifice to God


Perhaps this is the gift that God would like to receive from me? An unshakable thankfulness for every little blessing, every single day? And then maybe I will become like one of those joy-filled friends I admire so much?