There is just so much to thank God for. I think that we should be able set aside signficant amount of time just to express our gratitude to our Lord. An attitude of gratitude, is something we can develop.
What we can do for the end of the year is to just randomly list down things that God granted upon us for 2012. His providence may suprise and astound us.
I'd like to share three things as my reflection on His blessings and our posture of thanksgiving.
1. God's blessings will always surpass our failings.
When we fail, we tend to highlight that particular experience and wallow in regret. But truly, failures are opportunities for us to become better or even become the best in our field. When we look back at our year, let us take time to squeeze out major lessons, specially from our failings. With humility and in God's wisdom, these so called failures will later transform into deeply rooted values that will contribute to our success.
If we look around and notice the details of our lives, even for just this year, there is enormous blessings. Let not our regrets overwhelm us, instead let hope prevail and let His Spirit urge us to press on. Let us thank God for showing us the lessons of our failures.
2. God is faithful and He wants us to be fruitful.
Often our unfaithfulness hinder God from fully blessing us. Yet, like the prodigal Son, who went back to his father, a feast still awaits. God is ready to bless us, we just have to embrace His love and accept the kind of life He offers. Let us thank the Father for loving us despite our unfaithfulness.
3. A humble heart will always have room for God's providence.
When our hearts are full of pride, is there room for God to bless? Let us empty our hearts from pride, unforgiveness, doubts, and other negativities. Let us make room for Him and surely true joy will reside in us. Let us thank God for continuously knocking at the door of our hearts and patiently waiting for us to invite Him in.
4. We ask for the grace to praise and thank Him amidst gloom
For many of us, 2012 was a tough year. Thousands lost family and friends due to a calamity, a people divided because of social and moral issues, heart wrenching news of kids murdered in Connecticut, personal undertakings that didn't go our way, and many more. Yet, amidst all these things, God is love. In His mystery, He has a plan for us and for mankind. This was Job's reaction when everything was taken from him
Job’s Reaction.
Then Job arose and tore his cloak and cut off his hair. He fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, “Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I go back there.* The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!” In all this Job did not sin, nor did he charge God with wrong. (Job 1:20-22).
Let us thank God even if it is difficult to do so.
We look forward to the New Year with hope! Let us commit to do better for 2013, with much gratitude in our hearts and with full trust in the hope of God's plan.
What we can do for the end of the year is to just randomly list down things that God granted upon us for 2012. His providence may suprise and astound us.
I'd like to share three things as my reflection on His blessings and our posture of thanksgiving.
1. God's blessings will always surpass our failings.
When we fail, we tend to highlight that particular experience and wallow in regret. But truly, failures are opportunities for us to become better or even become the best in our field. When we look back at our year, let us take time to squeeze out major lessons, specially from our failings. With humility and in God's wisdom, these so called failures will later transform into deeply rooted values that will contribute to our success.
If we look around and notice the details of our lives, even for just this year, there is enormous blessings. Let not our regrets overwhelm us, instead let hope prevail and let His Spirit urge us to press on. Let us thank God for showing us the lessons of our failures.
2. God is faithful and He wants us to be fruitful.
Often our unfaithfulness hinder God from fully blessing us. Yet, like the prodigal Son, who went back to his father, a feast still awaits. God is ready to bless us, we just have to embrace His love and accept the kind of life He offers. Let us thank the Father for loving us despite our unfaithfulness.
3. A humble heart will always have room for God's providence.
When our hearts are full of pride, is there room for God to bless? Let us empty our hearts from pride, unforgiveness, doubts, and other negativities. Let us make room for Him and surely true joy will reside in us. Let us thank God for continuously knocking at the door of our hearts and patiently waiting for us to invite Him in.
4. We ask for the grace to praise and thank Him amidst gloom
For many of us, 2012 was a tough year. Thousands lost family and friends due to a calamity, a people divided because of social and moral issues, heart wrenching news of kids murdered in Connecticut, personal undertakings that didn't go our way, and many more. Yet, amidst all these things, God is love. In His mystery, He has a plan for us and for mankind. This was Job's reaction when everything was taken from him
Job’s Reaction.
Then Job arose and tore his cloak and cut off his hair. He fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, “Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I go back there.* The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!” In all this Job did not sin, nor did he charge God with wrong. (Job 1:20-22).
Let us thank God even if it is difficult to do so.
We look forward to the New Year with hope! Let us commit to do better for 2013, with much gratitude in our hearts and with full trust in the hope of God's plan.
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