Leaving Massah

I've been in the Valley of Massah lately (Deuteronomy 6:16).
Where I've tested the Lord by complaining and grumbling and not seeing--
His goodness.
Back to Exodus 17:7...
Where the Israelites questioned--
"Is the Lord among us or not?"

Oh forgive me for doubting, for missing Your gifts.
For missing Your fingerprints...
On the details of every day life.
And so today--

I will give to the LORD the thanks due to His righteousness.
~Psalm 7:17

I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart. ~Psalm 9:1

O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
~Psalm 30:12

I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good.
~Psalm 54:6

I (will) give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify Your name forever. ~Psalm 86:12

Oh (I will) give thanks to the LORD; call upon His name;
~Psalm 105:1

Oh (I will) give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!
~Psalm 107:1

I (will) give You thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart;
~Psalm 138:1

And so in this month of Thanksgiving--

I will thank Him for the leaves and the season and the children laughing--
For the food so warm, the blankets cozy,
For His Word that raises my eyes, back to Him.
For the letter-in-the-mail and balance in the bank,
For the comfort in the sorrow and the friend that lifts my spirit.
I will thank Him for my coffee in the quiet morning stillness and for the heartache that causes--
Me to need Him.
I will give thanks for His body, my church family, and for traveling-family-come-close.
And for minds that work and lungs that breathe and for singing voices and orange pumpkins,
And for the smell of baking banana bread.
I will thank Him.
I will look for Him.
I will notice His fingerprints in the morning fog that causes me to wrap my robe even tighter--
To feel His love wrap around me even tighter.

I will thank Him...



*Sharing this today over at No Ordinary Blog Hop. 
I'm not a huge fan of "hops" and rarely participate, but this one, with these women, was one of the first places I wandered into when I entered the world of blogging and the other members of the NOBH writing team have become my friends over time...they are a wonderful collection of encouraging women.  November's post is up and running!

*Sharing with thanks at Women Living Well. and We Are THAT Family.