“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High.” (Psalm 92:1 NLT)

This Thanksgiving season, I have been asked on several occasions to answer the question, “What are you thankful for this year?’

Without hesitation, I have answered, “That I am pain free!” What a wonderful blessing to get out of bed, walk down the hall for my morning coffee, and be pain free! How awesome to be able to go outside unassisted and greet the Lord with outstretched arms!

Last Thanksgiving, I was housebound from a broken neck I had suffered in an automobile accident. While I was not in extreme pain, I was seriously restricted. I slept in a recliner, had to have assistance taking a shower or washing my hair, could not drive, and had serious limitations on my daily activities. This went on for three months.

After weeks of physical therapy, I recovered. Then in August I was simply sweeping my kitchen and injured my back. This very ordinary activity sent me into three more months of dealing with excruciating back pain and ultimately surgery and more restrictions.

So when I say I am thankful for getting out of bed pain free, I mean it!

There is a wonderful story in the book of Acts that captures how I feel this Thanksgiving:

“Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. ² As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in . . . When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.

⁴ Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!”⁵ The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. ⁶ But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and^[ walk!”

⁷ Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. ⁸ He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.” (Acts 3:1-8 NLT)

Did you notice what the lame man did after he was healed? “Walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.” He was all about praising and worshipping the Lord! That’s what I want to do!

King David said it quite eloquently in Psalm 103:

¹ Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
² Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
³ He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
⁴ He redeems me from death
and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
⁵ He fills my life with good things.  My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! (Psalm 103:1-5)

Wow! That last verse is really significant when you are as old as I am!

With each passing year, I become more aware that our days are numbered–that we have less and less time on this earth to serve and praise the Lord. With my accidents this year, I have also become aware of how quickly our health can be compromised, severely limiting our mobility and our ability to serve the Lord in an active way. In a split second, we can be bedridden–unable to care for ourselves much less care for others.

As I enter the Advent season, I want to maintain an attitude of gratitude. Through circumstances beyond my control, I have learned this year to “be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10.

Even though the year has been difficult, I can say in retrospect that I am thankful for the hard days, for I have drawn closer to the Lord and experienced his presence in ways far beyond what I would have experienced had I spent this year in my usual flurry of busyness and activity. I have learned what James meant when he wrote, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” (James 4:2-3 NLT)

There is a wonderful praise and worship song that captures the essence of my thoughts and emotions this Thanksgiving season. Every time I hear it, I want to clap my hands and jump for joy! Recorded by several groups including the Gaithers, the first verse is about the lame man who leaped to his feet and began praising the Lord for what he had done.Verse 2 celebrates a more important healing—a spiritual one whereby we experience His healing from sin and the promise of eternity in heaven.

If you want a great praise song to lift your spirits and get your day off to a good start, click on the address below. You won’t be sorry! I predict you’ll be humming and praising the Lord all day!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcIBRTwKM58

VERSE #1
The lame man sat outside the gate
Begging alms of those who entered in
Now Peter and John they came upon him
The lame man expecting from them
Peter said silver and gold have I none
But such I have I give unto Thee
Right then the spirit touched him
And he leaped to his feet
Saying look what God’s done for me.

Chorus:
Look what the Lord has done
Look what the Lord has done
He healed my body, He touched my mind
He saved me just in time
I’m gonna praise His name
Each day is just the same
Come on and praise Him
Look what the Lord has done.

VERSE #2
I was bound by chains of darkness and sin
I had no hope or peace of mind
Though my sins were red as scarlet
He washed them white as snow
And opened my blind eyes
Now my soul will rejoice since I’ve made Him my choice
I’ve got joy, peace, everything that’s within
You see my name’s been written down
In the lamb’s book of life
Can’t you see what God’s done for me.

What about you? Want to brag on God this Thanksgiving? I’d love to hear about it! We serve an awesome God