With a Heart of Thanksgiving

I will bless Thee O Lord
I will bless Thee O Lord
With a heart of thanksgiving
I will bless Thee O Lord
​
                                      Words by Esther Watanabe
                                                                                    Copyright 1970 - 1970 New Song Music - CCLI #264120

As we approach Thanksgiving, this song has been in my mind and on my lips.  With the Psalmist, I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving (Psalm 69:30).  On this Thanksgiving 2022, the words of the hymn-writer also come to mind:
     When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
     When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
     Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
     And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
                                                                                         Johnson Oatman, 1987

As I think about the blessings in my life, and name them one by one, here are just a few of the things for which I am grateful.

I am grateful for God's on-going mercy and kindness, for the Father's faithful love; that I worship and serve the God who watches over me.

The Lord watches over you--he will watch over your life.
                                                                                                                                                      Psalm 121:5,7

I am grateful for the Lord Jesus, for His saving grace and for the Holy Spirit who guides my life. 

I am grateful for the beauty of the created world around me, which points me to our Creator.

I am grateful for my wife Janice, my partner for 40 years. I am particularly grateful for the care she has provided for me over this past year, I have been blessed to share life with a loving, caring wife, mother and grandmother.

A truly good wife is the most precious treasure a man can find!
                                                                                                                                           Proverbs 31:10 - CEV

I am grateful for my children, Lisa, Scott and Tiffany, Andrea and Jason, and our grandsons, Riley, Noah and Luke.  I am proud of the persons my kids have become and blessed to continue to share the journey with them.  I am humbled by God's care for our grandsons, Riley and Noah and Luke through the incredible journey they have been on over the past year.  (Celebrating Noah and Luke's Journey)

I am grateful for the church, for friends with whom I share this journey of faith, for the love and support of a church family; truly I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God.

My friends at Valley, on this Thanksgiving week, for what are you grateful...and what then do you say?

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
                                                                                                                                               1 Chronicles 16:35

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought,
and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.
                                                                                                                      G.K. Chesterton