Encouragement

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There used to be a lady named Ms. Dee in our church who, when she got excited about what the preacher was saying would holler out: “Thank You Jesus!” I first started attending this church about five years ago after being out of church for many, many years. The congregation was very small at that time, averaging 60 to 80 people on a Sunday morning. The first few times I went, I have to admit I was a little taken aback by this. I am now ashamed to say it, but I was! I used to think she was showing off a bit with her outspoken praises in the middle of the sermon. I don’t know why I thought that, because several of the men echoed their amen’s during the service and I thought nothing of it. It must have been the way I was conditioned to think. You have to realize that I was raised in a very conservative Baptist church. I just wasn’t used to women speaking out in the middle of church services.

After awhile, I got more and more used to Ms. Dee and even started looking forward to those “Thank You Jesus’!” outbursts. I wanted to (and still want to sometimes) holler them myself at cerain times! But I haven't done it yet. At least not loud enough for anyone but Jesus to hear. If Ms. Dee didn’t say it when I thought it was the appropriate time to do so, I’d think; Ah, you missed that one Ms. Dee! Now I thank Jesus every single day for His mercies and every time I go to church to worship Him. What I didn’t fully realize back then, Ms. Dee already knew with every ‘Thank You Jesus’ she hollered out.

He is worthy. He is so worthy of more praise and thanks than we can ever attempt to give Him. If every Christian thanked Him with every breath for the rest of their life…..it wouldn’t be enough.

I now have a thankful heart for everything my Lord has done for me. He has taken a life that was totally void of purpose and shown me what true life in Jesus Christ is. When I finally came to the end of myself and realized “I am the wretch that beautiful song is talking about”, only then did the overwhelming gratitude for His love move in.

Well, Ms. Dee got married and moved away a couple years ago. I miss her. I miss her joy, enthusiasm, and hearing her gratitude and praise to the King that was so contagious. I miss hearing her say “Thank You Jesus!” She taught me a lot; whether she meant to, or knew it. She taught me that Jesus blesses those who have a grateful heart. Our church has grown so much in the last couple years, numerically as well as spiritually. But I will never forget the lady that taught me that it’s more than ok to praise the Lord unashamedly, it’s what He loves to hear from His children and it pleases Him immensely. And you know what? He is so worthy!

This Thanksgiving season, let’s give God the glory and thank Him for all the many blessings He has given us. Let Him know that you are so very grateful for His sacrifice on the cross and you believe He is worthy to be praised. Because He is.

Thank You Jesus, Amen.

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