Thank you is not enough!

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. (Psalm 150:4)

The last three years have been a whirlwind of emotions that I am just now finding time to process. I saw God in the details, but truthfully, my heart and soul had become so depleted, and just when I thought the calm would be coming, we faced a new loss. Ten deaths in three years and becoming the executor of an estate that involved tenants and making life-changing decisions that would affect my mother were just a few of the scenarios. Choices I would make would be gut-wrenching and add to the grief I did not have time to allow. Truthfully, I just wanted to sit at the feet of God in the safety of His embrace as my heart hurt, and the anxiety was rising. But life does not stay on hold. Although I could see Him orchestrating details and answers, and was beyond thankful, I did not know what to do with the raw emotions that I would continue to stuff so that I could deal with what was next. God created us with emotions, and the problem with the technique of stuffing; well, it only works for so long.

Everywhere I turned, it seemed was just another obligation that needed handling or another person who needed me. I have been the “dependable one” since I was a young teen. Need something typed last minute, I was your girl. Keep order with laundry or the house? I was your girl. Sometimes I felt more like the “go to” person rather than a person to know. But there is One who knows me and wants me to know Him even better — One who is there with me from every cup of coffee I enjoy to every activity on my plate.

On a March Sunday morning, I asked my husband if he minded if I stayed home from church. I adore my church family and am so blessed that they love this imperfect pastor’s wife. I would miss seeing them, but my weary soul longed that morning to spend time basking in the One who knows me better than I know myself. I wanted to sit before Him before the rush and demands of the week stolen my time with HIm. It was not that I had not been spending time with God; it was that it seemed to always be a time in a rush or seeking answers to problems. My soul longed to sit and talk with Him. I need to be still and listen. I felt Him prompting me to the end of the Psalms Each chapter said the same thing. Praise Him because He is:

• My stronghold
• My Deliverer
• My shield in whom I take refuge
• My fortress
• My loving God
• My rock
• My God the King
• Gracious
• Compassionate
• Good to all
• Trustworthy
• Faithful
• Upholds all who fall
• Righteous
• Near to all who call on Him in truth
• Hears our cry and saves us
• Watches over us
• The maker of heaven and earth
• Provider
• Sustainer
• Peacemaker

I realized I had thanked Him for His wisdom and guidance, but I had not sincerely praised a loving Father who has loved His child through the deep heartaches of the last three years. It was time to praise Him and let the tears of grief fall.
Friends, may you be reminded today of all the attributes of our heavenly Father above in the busyness of life. Take time to praise Him. On that Sunday morning sitting at the feet of my heavenly Father, He reminded me that there is a difference between thanking Him and praising Him. Praising Him is because of who He is, not thanking Him for what He has done.

Michelle Mackall is the mom to three boys and one girl. Known for just a little sass, Michelle earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business from Shepherd University where she met her husband of almost 28 years, John. She currently works in the office at a Maryland middle school. She enjoys studying the Bible with women and youth and learning about the amazing Lord she serves. She has been blessed to serve alongside her husband at the church they planted fifteen years ago.