The one who offers thanksgiving

as his sacrifice

glorifies Me...

             Psalm 50. 23

(The sacrifice of thanksgiving

is thanking God,

despite circumstances,

even in their midst,

before an outcome is obvious,

and even if we never

              realize the results.

We cannot know

       what God is doing with this

in our lives

               or another's,

but we can trust Him in it.

A grateful heart

   is a rare jewel in this world,

shining like a light in the darkness,

a different word among the grumbling,

a distinctive voice amidst

     despair or complaining.

Thanks-giving changes how we

          see everything,

          how we respond,

and how we trust God.)

O LORD,

You don't just give us

    a path to walk,

but show us how to walk it.

Help us to know

  the strength of gratefulness,

Your mighty hand on us

        even in the hard stuff.

Grant to us

   a new heart in this,

even in the ordinary,

even in the difficult,

that we may glorify You.

May we be a help

      to those in need.

And a different voice

        in this situation,

full of Your grace and love

in unexpected places

and among unlikely people.