Not Often Enough

 

....and I will sing praise

      to the name of the

      LORD Most High.

             Psalm 7. 17

When do we sing praises

           to our God?

     Not often enough.

Because when we praise God,

  we see our circumstances

  and even our struggles

    with a new heart,

              fresh eyes,

       and a strength that

                is not our own.

God's goodness

  extends way out there

  in the most unexpected places.

Sing His name

               over this situation.

Recognize His signature

     over what we face.

Praise Him 

    not for what He does.

But for who He is.

And go forth into the day

differently as a result.

O LORD,

We don't praise You

           as we should.

And then we wonder

  why we struggle.

We praise You not just for

   Your goodness

         or blessings upon us,

     but because You are God.

Praise does not change You,

   but strengthens us

not by circumstances, 

        but by acknowledging You.

Not just praising You for good stuff,

but praising You in 

           what is so hard.

We can go forth differently

because praising You

                   changes us. 

May we write Your name

     all over this day.