"Oh, Thank You Jesus!” I said in a loud whisper while braiding my youngest daughter Kaiah’s hair yesterday.
“Why did you say that Mommy?” she asked, wondering what motivated my spontaneous praise.
“This year last time, Mommy was so sick and my arm was hurt, so I couldn’t braid your hair,” I explained. “I just thought about how much better I am now and I was thanking God,” I smiled.
Braiding hair might not be enough to send you into a full-on praise, but I had a real moment Daily Cup family. I could have hopped up and started jumping around the room. That thing hit me so suddenly.
I mean, I could hardly get myself up out of bed a year ago. Moving my arm and fingers was nearly impossible. The pain was excruciating and things didn’t look good.
Even as months went by, my injured arm was so weak, it would shake vigorously when I lifted it and I had no grab strength in my left hand. Grooming either of my daughter’s locks, or my own, was simply out of the question.
Oh but now… I’m doing what I couldn’t do just 12 months ago and it’s no struggle at all. So let me say again, Oh, Thank You Jesus!
When I think back on it, my heart overflows with joy.
I know my daughter didn’t completely understand my praise. Though she witnessed my grateful response, Kaiah could not grasp the full essence of the gratitude I felt in that moment.
And no one can really understand the true depth of your praise either. I’m sure there are some things God has delivered you from, brought you out of, and given you victory over that make you want to leap for joy.
You know that if it had not been for the Lord on your side, you would have been swallowed up. But He removed those obstacles that looked insurmountable; lifted you up high after you sunk so low; and took what appeared to be all bad, turned it around, and made it all good!
That’s why today, I’m sweetening your cup of inspiration with a praise-evoking scripture found in Psalm 40:2 KJV. It says, “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.”
When you drink down the contents of your cup, you’ll be reminded of the mighty, miraculous, and magnificent things the Lord has done for you. You’ll rejoice as you reflect back on what God snatched you out of and what He brought you into.
Even though things may be imperfect in your life, what He has done already is enough to stir up an Oh, thank You Jesus! down on the inside that will show up on the outside.
Now let’s pray.
God, thank You for all You’ve done for me. You brought me through things I thought would take me out. You delivered me during seasons of heartache and distress, when everything seemed to be going wrong. Today, because of the great mercy and the favor You have shown me, I am a living example and testimony of Your goodness. I will forever praise You, thank You, and give You glory! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
