♪A Note of Thanks ♪
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD He is God; it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 100 (KJV)
On this beautiful blue sky day in November, I cannot help but be thankful, for awakening to a new day. Early this morning just before break of dawn, I looked out the window at the Western sky to see a full moon that was just about to leave my view as the sun would start to rise in the East. It was a crisp cool morning in Alabama, and I felt blessed to have arisen to a fresh start, a new beginning, old things have passed away and all things felt new to me. Isn’t that how we are supposed to respond to God each day, with expectant hearts full of faith, hope and love? I know that some days we had rather take a different route and perhaps be somber, but I believe it helps to have a grateful heart. Somehow God works it out, in these daily miracles and gives us His joy, goodness, grace and mercy. Even though we may not feel like we deserve these attributes, we are granted a measure of His love and goodness.
God displays Himself through His magnificent creation in colors of majestic magenta, bright sunny yellows, copper Japanese maples, dark glossy green hollies with red berries, picture perfect pink Confederate roses, pumpkins and bronze nasturtiums; and add to that the smells of autumn, pines, cedars, sweet blooming tea olives and ginger lilies. When I think of God’s handiwork, I can’t help but think of family and dear sweet friends who’ve loved us and stuck by us all these years through thick and thin; kind, compassionate friends who freely give God’s love with a hug, a kind word of encouragement or a hand written note.
Almost every time I see my dear friend, Sarah Jackson Shelton, or receive a phone call from her, she will start off by saying, “Precious Cousin!” To me it’s the little things that oftentimes mean so much, that special touch from friends to let us know we are loved and are part of the community of faith that help to spur us on and cause us to forget what might be ailing us or distracting us from keeping our focus on God.
During this wonderful season of Thanksgiving, take some time to thank those who need a touch of love, and let them know how much they mean to you and also, more importantly thank the Lord for the many provisions of life He continues to give to you.
Thanks be to God for life and the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen
With a grateful heart for serving alongside you, I am….
Your friend,
Mark David Jackson
