Praising from the Pits

Everyone’s had one. A day that’s bright and beautiful everywhere except in your spirit. A day when the sun shines gloriously upon everyone except on you. You’re pitifully in the “pits.” What to do?

Sometimes we attempt to eat our way out of the “gloomies.” Doritos. Donuts. Dumb.

Sometimes we think shopping will cheer us up.  New purse. New pants. Pricey.

And then sometimes we just do nothing but sulk, sulk, sulk. Silly.

Maybe a little praise is in order.

Charles Wesley wrote, “Jesus! The name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease; ‘tis music in the sinners ears, ‘tis life and health, and peace.” Thomas Kelly agreed: “Praise the Savior, ye who know Him! Who can tell how much we owe Him? Gladly let us render to Him all we are and have.”

After all, the Bible repeatedly commands us to be people of praise: “Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious …” (Psalm 66:1-2); “Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion; declare among the peoples His deeds …” (Psalm 9:11); “Sing praise to the LORD, you His godly ones, and give thanks to His holy name ... “ (Psalm 30:4).

One Sunday, on the back of a bulletin, I read that “a heart full of thanksgiving to Christ for all He is and has done will result in expressions of praise.” (Paul J. Twist) The little article also mention a verse in the Psalms where the psalmist praised God seven times a day for His righteous laws (119:164). It got me to thinking—did I praise God seven times a day for anything? What if I determined to change this and purposefully looked for things to praise God for every single day? To praise Him for anything...and everything...since everything I have is all from Him? And for things I’d never offered up for praise...ever?

For loving me in spite of me.

For being with me through a night of delicious, welcome slumber.

For comforting me when the slumber doesn’t come.

For the charming grin on a little boy’s sweet face, the glittering twinkle in his eye.

For the comforts of home.

For the gift of words.

For the honor of being a wife, a mother, a Nana.

For...wait, that’s seven already. But I’m not done. There’s...and… and...yup, you get it. Praise! ☺