I'm Thankful

"I'm fine."

It's the automatic response, it seems, when someone issues the familiar greeting, "How are you?"

"I'm fine."

We say it whether we really mean it - or we don't. It's the socially acceptable way to respond. But a recent email devotional from The Upper Room challenged me to think about a new response.

It's "fine" to be "fine." But how would life change if I followed the author's cue and instead responded, "I'm thankful!"

He says that his "I'm thankful" response often elicits a conversation starter when the questioner probes, "Why are you thankful?" But even if it doesn't evolve into anything more than a pleasant response, it just might remind me to BE more thankful.

The Psalms provide plentiful examples of being thankful, including Psalm 105: 1-6:

Psalm 105

¹ Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
    make known among the nations what he has done.
² Sing to him, sing praise to him;
    tell of all his wonderful acts.
³ Glory in his holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
⁴ Look to the Lord and his strength;
    seek his face always.

⁵ Remember the wonders he has done,
    his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,
⁶ you his servants, the descendants of Abraham,
    his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.

One of my favorite hymns is Fairest Lord Jesus, a hymn that seems perfect for the Lovely Branches Ministries theme, April Gladness, this month.

At left and clockwise: The church sanctuary's stained glass behind the altar; a view of the front of the church; the piano where we gathered each week to sing Sunday School songs, much like the poster still on the wall in one of the classroom; the back of the church, where we would play on the steps and in the yard during our Mom's WSCS (now UMW) meetings and during VBS recreation.

Today, the words of the familiar hymn may be projected onto a multi-media screen during morning worship. But the message was imprinted on my heart long ago at my childhood church, Byers United Methodist. (I was there when the church closed its doors for the last time in 2011. See some of my memories by clicking on the underlined link.)

Dear Lord, as we turn the calendar to April and welcome spring, let us see our blessings with eyes wide open to You and your miraculous world. Let me truly be able to respond, "I'm thankful!" each and every day.

Fairest Lord Jesus 

(with my photo illustrations)

Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature,

O thou of God and man the Son.

 Thee will I cherish

Thee will I honor

Thou, my soul's glory, joy and crown.

Fair are the meadows

Fairer still the woodlands

Robed in the blooming garb of spring

 Jesus is fairer

Jesus is purer

Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

 

Fair is the sunshine

 

Fairer still the moonlight

And all the twinkling starry host.

Jesus shines brighter

Jesus shines purer

Than all the angels heaven can boast.

 Beautiful Savior!

Lord of all the nations! 

 Son of God and Son of Man!

Glory and honor,

Praise, adoration,

Now and forever more be thine. 

**

Spring on a plate ... It's how I think about this Roasted Tomato and Asparagus Tortellini dish with asparagus and spinach. It can be served as a side dish. But you can easily make it into a main dish by adding cooked and seasoned chicken breasts or strips of beef, if you want a heartier meal ... or if any guys around your table would prefer that! Enjoy!