Gratitude

One of my latest favorite songs is Nichole Nordeman's Gratitude. The lyrics are beautiful and thought-provoking, and each time I listen to the song, I get something new from it. The more I listened to the song, the more I wanted to share about it, so here are my thoughts along with the lyrics. :)

Gratitude

Send some rain, would You send some rain?
'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade
Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid
But maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .

(Chorus)

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If You never send us rain

Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight
Wrap us up and warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time
Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .

(Chorus)

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
A lesson learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead And if we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between
What we want and what we really need

So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight
Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if that's the case . . .

(Chorus)

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace

But Jesus, would You please . . .


I find the words to be such a beautiful reminder of how we should give thanks to God in everything. Please, Jesus, give us bread, but if you don't, thank you for the lesson in trust. That's such a trusting attitude, and it shows the kind of gratitude we really should have for Him.

Too often, people question why they don't have more. Why don't they have money for all these nice cars, or money for expensive clothes or big vacations or even more simple things. Instead of asking why He doesn't give us these things, we should ask why He gives us anything at all. Not why He doesn't relieve us of pain, but why He suffered and died for us. We should be grateful for all He has done for us; He's given us so much more than we deserve, and we should be immensely grateful for all that He has given us.

This extends into greater issues too, such as suffering. It's all too common for Christians to ask why God allows them to suffer, why He doesn't take that away. Instead, we should be praising God that we have life at all, especially eternal life. We should be grateful for all the ways He has provided for us, and learn what we can through trials.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. - James 1:2-3

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28

God will work things together for good, even if we can't see how at the time. He has a reason and a purpose, and He will work things together for the ultimate good, to fit His purpose.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; - Philippians 4:6

We should make our requests with thanksgiving rather than anxiety, thanking God in the midst of our needs. I think that message is so powerful in this song, and so beautifully written.