Dear Pastor’s Wife,
Psalm 116:17 “I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.”
Have you discovered the secret of persistent thanksgiving? Since reading Ann Voskamp’s book “1,000 Gifts,” a few years ago, I can safely say that our home life has changed for the better. The first year, I kept a journal and recorded my personal 3 things per day that I was thankful for. This past year, I hung a piece of posterboard on our fridge and turned it into art, swirling the writing and using colored pens. We even invited all of our overnight house guests to add to our “thankful list.” And the best part? Our children got involved. And it has changed them too. Now, I have to confess that I have not yet made it an entire year of recording every day. BUT every year we get closer to that goal, and it is exciting! When we slack off, I notice a difference in myself and my children. Why is daily thanksgiving so hard?
Giving thanks is an offering to God- a sacrifice given out of love.
It’s something we have to choose to do, despite our feelings. Some days giving thanks is just plain hard. Ministry throws a myriad of things at us to get us down. But choosing a life of thanks in spite of all the things? It’s not hypocrisy- it’s obedience. And wonderful things happen when offering praise becomes a regular part of our days. We are more joyful, more positive…but most of all, we are more aware of God’s working in our lives. We also notice how many, many gifts He gives us daily- even the ones wrapped in unlikely packages.
I’m just writing to you today to challenge you to give thanks, even for the hard. And, I’m re-challenging myself as well. Let’s do this together! Because, after all, “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me.” {Psalm 50:23}
Giving thanks is one of the best ways to glorify God. It’s the secret to joy in sorrow, hope in despair, and meaning in the mundane. So, grab a journal or a piece of posterboard and start your praise list. How about {gulp} a ministry praise list? It will change your whole outlook on life!
XOXO,
A Kindred Spirit
P.S. I’m so thankful for YOU! {And for those of you in Canada, Happy Thanksgiving today!}
Thank YOU Leah! My hubby and I were just talking about my need for an attitude adjustment last night (I recognize it and own it). This post confirms what I know I need to do. I think I’ll be pulling out my copy of Ann Voskamp’s book. I am not a full time pastor’s wife, but my husband is a teaching elder, and preaches regularly…he has never been full time, so we don’t struggle in the same way many Pastors/wives do…but there are things that we struggle with, too complicated to share here.
Christi, God bless you for your transparency! You are not alone…this is a common struggle among ministry wives. But, there is hope! 🙂 May you stay encouraged through thankfulness!