THANK YOU

Imagine if you will that you were always the giving person, ready to care for and help others.  Your sole purpose in life, you have decided, was to be the oak tree that people relied on.  It's just in your nature to nurture.  It made you happy just to know that you have helped out in some way or another.  You don't usually expect anything in return but a token of appreciation, such as a simple thank you, would suffice.  Although you do not expect it, it would still be hurtful if you don't get that appreciation for all the effort you put out.  After all, you are only human.  We all need that validation to keep us motivated to continue to do for others.

Imagine how God does of so many of us day in and day out.  We are in full focus when we have favors to ask but sometimes our human nature kicks in and we forget to praise Him when our prayers are answered.  Although God is ever powerful and faithful to us, He is also a jealous God.  He wants to be the center of our lives.  He is well-deserved to be.  Praise is a habit we need to learn to do always for the pure development of our souls.  Psalm 147 says, "Praise the Lord!  How good to sing praiser to our God!  How delightful and how fitting!"  We have to be resolved that God is the ultimate problem solver.  He is the one we turn to when all avenues have been taken into account.  He willingly answers our prayers that line up with his Will but yet we forget to appreciate Him for what He does for us.  

We need to make appreciation to God and learning to praise Him a vital part of our lives.  I mean from the littlest minute thing to the biggest and boldest solution He has given us.  When we do, there is a sudden change in our own personal lives when we deal with others.  The appreciation spills over to other people we have relationships with, no matter who they might be.  In turn, the act of appreciation becomes contagious as others are inspired by them.  

Until my next rant... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!