Jump for Joy!

The heading promised: “Expert Tips for Creating a Gratitude List.”

But nowhere did the writer suggest who we’re supposed to thank. And that omission raises an important question: Can gratitude provide any value if there’s no one to receive it?

On the other hand, giving thanks and praise to God lifts our spirits as we review his unfailing love for us, expressed in countless ways.

Imagine King David’s euphoria as he wrote:

In Psalm 31, David included these five inspiring truths: our God is faithful (5), loving (7, 16, 21), good (19), merciful (22) and protective (23).

And as I considered theses scriptures, my thoughts turned to examples in our family’s lives when we’ve seen these attributes in action. For example:

God is faithful (Psalm 31:5) and shows us the wonders of his love (21).

Our son Eric needed slides of his paintings for a college application. However, several days of overcast skies made it impossible to sufficiently light his work and show it to best advantage.

The deadline was fast approaching, and four paintings still hadn’t been photographed.

Eric decided he’d have do his best with the light available. But as he finished setting up and adjusting the painting on his easel, the sun came out! Three more times, just as he finished positioning, the clouds parted and the sun shone!

God stores up abundant good things for those who honor and trust him (Psalm 31:19).

Our family has experienced an abundance of good things—sometimes in miraculous ways (like provision for employment through an astonishing string of God-incidences [1]), and sometimes in smaller-but-no-less-startling events, like the one described above.

I’ve recorded hundreds of such moments in a notebook-journal kept since 1983 (as many of you regular readers know). Entry after entry proves our God is abundantly good and ever faithful [2].

We need not fear that we shall ever

come to the end of God’s goodness,

or any experience for which

He will have no blessing ready.

–J. R. Miller [3]

God hears my cries for mercy when I call to him for help, and he protects the faithful (Psalm 31:22, 23).

Years ago before GPS, I became hopelessly lost on a lonely, tree-lined road. To make matters worse, the gas tank was approaching empty, and I was going to be late for an appointment.

In near-panic mode I prayed, LORD HELP ME!, and tried to calm my racing heart by affirming that God would not fail me nor abandon me (Hebrews 13:5b NLT).

Suddenly a three-way stop appeared. I looked left to see a gas station about fifty yards down the road, almost hidden by the trees.

I turned the corner—into the 1950s. The style of the building and peeling paint indicated the age of the station; the pumps were just as old.

More alarm ensued as I studied one of the ancient pumps. What do I do with THIS?

And then an older gentleman approached (an angel, perhaps?) and kindly offered, “I’ll pump that for you.” He also directed me where I needed to be, and I arrived at my appointment just a few minutes late.

I could share SO many more examples. But it’s not just our family that’s experienced God’s goodness, faithfulness and love. All of us have stories to tell of God working wonders in our lives.

May we be quick to give him the thanks he deserves, and with King David, experience the euphoria of gratitude and praise that makes us leap for joy!

Now it’s your turn. In the comment section below, please share one of your stories that makes you leap for joy in what God accomplished!

[1] See https://nancyaruegg.com/2020/08/27/after-the-fact-2

[2] See https://nancyaruegg.com/2012/11/12/proving-gods-presence for how this journal came to be.

[3] Quoted by Herbert Lockyer, Seasons of the Lord, 199.

Art & photo credits: http://www.flicr.com (Evelyn Lim); http://www.biblepics.co; http://www.pickpik.com; http://www.freerangestock.com (Paul Morris); http://www.pickpik.com; http://www.flickr.com (Bill Badzo); http://www.canva.com.