Expressing Gratitude
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” - Colossians 3:17
Amidst everything happening in the world right now, everyone should allow themselves to feel the beauty of gratitude. There has been so much loss this year, and if we aren’t careful we can allow the loss to make us disregard the blessings in our lives. I have seen us come together to fight social injustice, support black-owned businesses, celebrate Juneteenth, and fight the corona virus pandemic each day. Potentially, every day has the power to make us feel like the world is getting worse instead of better. However in order to make it through, we should remember to express gratitude for the things God has done in our lives. We must express gratitude for the blessing of having breath in our bodies, the ability to effect change, and the blessing of living another day. Through all of the frustration 2020 has brought us, God has kept us and He will continue to bring us through.
This Tuesday, on June 23rd, I will turn twenty-eight years old. During my twenty-seventh year, I have learned so many things about myself and pushed past barriers to experience maturity and growth. In the past, my birthdays have been filled with friends and family coming together to celebrate my new year around the sun. However, this year will obviously be different. I am choosing to use this birthday as a time to express gratitude to God for everything He has blessed me with - as well as for the things that have yet to come. I want to express gratitude for Him keeping me during this pandemic, and allowing me not to succumb to anxiety due to the state of the world. I want to express gratitude for my beautiful family and friends - for the growing ability to extend grace to those who need it.
I am grateful for my loving, supportive parents and extended family. I am grateful for my close-knit friendships, and how they constantly challenge me to be my best self. I am so proud of the men and women we are becoming in our own respective right, and I know God has called us to accomplish great things. I am grateful for the readers of this blog. You inspire and encourage me to keep going. Most of all, I am grateful to God. He is and will always be first in my life. He has kept and protected me throughout the years.
I am thankful that God has kept me, and has allowed me to embark on another year whole and at peace in my life. I am thankful for my career, especially during this pandemic. I am grateful for the tough, much-needed conversations and movements being implemented, that will effect positive change in the world. Lastly, I am grateful for the continued courage to write this blog. I am grateful that I am choosing to use my voice and to be salt of the earth and light to those around me.
Today is Father’s Day, and I would be remiss to not acknowledge how grateful I am to have the father God blessed me with. He has been an amazing father to me, loving husband to my mother, and I know he will be a wonderful grandfather to my future children. My gratitude to God has no bounds, and I promise you that when you start thinking about all He’s done in your life . . . you will begin expressing gratitude and become overwhelmed at His goodness. We can allow ourselves to get so bogged down by the pain and injustice that plagues our world, that we neglect expressing gratitude for the things that rejuvenate us. Watch how God is keeping and has kept you in the midst of the pandemic. What around you rejuvenates you, during all the frustration and chaos? Thank God for that. Express gratitude for that.
The last few days have been very introspective. As I close out the journey of my twenty-seventh year, I look forward to the wonder and beauty twenty-eight will bring. I believe it will be the best one yet!
I challenge you all to express gratitude to God. I am immensely excited to continue growing with you all during the next year of my life.
I wish you all continued health, peace, joy, and blessings. See you next, Sunday!
Connect with me on Instagram @ashlaw23