Dear
Friends,
I first
heard the song for the first time at a little country church in Smithville,
N.Y., a few short miles from where our summer home is located in
Henderson Harbor, N.Y.
It was
the first summer following my wife Jean’s passing, and I was pretty fragile
emotionally.
I still
recall how the words and how the music spoke to my heart as I sang it as loud
as I could as if to convince me that even in the midst of the pain of my loss,
I would still choose to be grateful.
And now
whenever I hear that song as I did this past Sunday, I am filled with the same
emotion I felt that summer of 2023.
One of my
good friends plays on the worship team at a local church, and he invited me to
worship there as he often does when he is playing. He knew my history, and he
recognized I would be touched by the music, and he was right.
As we
stood for the first song, and I saw those words flashed on the screen, I
suddenly melted as I realized we were singing “Gratitude.”
No matter
how many times I play this song at home, and I play it often, I find myself
overcome with emotion and this time was no different.
As the
tears fell, and with hands lifted high in praise and worship, I sang as
loud as I could until, overcome with emotion, I had to stop for a moment to
wipe away my tears and regain my composure.
I am no
singer, but after the service two women in front of me turned and thanked me,
expressing how much they appreciated hearing a man sing with such enthusiasm.
That was a first for me, for those who know me well recognize I would be one of
the last people asked to sing in a choir.
“All my
words fall short. I got nothing new. How could I express all my gratitude?”
“I could
sing these songs, as I often do, but every song must end, and You never do.”
“So, I
throw up my hands and praise you again and again. Cause all that I have is a
hallelujah, hallelujah.”
“And
I know it’s not much, but I have nothing else fit for a King except for a heart
singing hallelujah, hallelujah.”
“I’ve got
one response. I’ve got just one move. With my arm outstretched, I will worship
you.”
And then when the chorus comes, I shout out at the top of my
voice
“So come
on, my soul. Oh, don’t you get shy on me, lift up your song ‘cause’ you’ve got
a lion inside of those lungs. Get up and praise the Lord.”
And as I
sing those words, I am reminded that within me exists the powerful roaring
strength of a lion which enables me to express my deepest praise and thanks to
God even when my words might fall short.
In a
world Filled with such division, it’s good to be reminded that we still have so
many things for which to be grateful.
The
gift of gratitude extends beyond ourselves.
Colossians
3:14-15, the apostle Paul writes to the church: “Let the peace of Christ
rule in your hearts, to which indeed you are called in one body. And be
thankful… and whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Many of
us have been the recipients of different expressions of kindness
and often times those acts may go unnoticed or unacknowledged.
I would
encourage you to take time today to thank those who share those gifts of
kindness, no matter how small those acts may be.
But don’t
only be content with being thankful when you are on the receiving end.
Be sure
and take the initiative to write or tell one person each day why you are
thankful for them. Maybe it’s a parent, a child, a coworker, a pastor, a
stranger or your spouse remembering that sometimes it’s the people who are
closest to us who need to hear it the most.
And by
the way, did you know that research has shown that gratitude improves your mood
and physical health? But beyond this gratitude is a wonderful way to express
our love and worship to our Heavenly Father.
Yours in
faith and friendship,
Tom
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