The Advanced Placement Program launched in the 1950s. Perhaps you took advantage of A. P. classes as a high school student. Though more challenging than standard secondary courses, they provide a substantial payoff–up to a semester’s worth of college credit.
A couple of weeks ago, I thought of A.P. classes upon encountering a Charles Colson quote about gratitude. He presented a whole new level of challenge concerning this quality.
Instead of giving thanks for the goods received, Colson suggested we express appreciation for who God is—his character. Colson said such an act of faith provides evidence the Holy Spirit is working in a person’s life (1).
So, in spite of self-isolation and lockdowns, distress for our country and world, as well as the personal concerns we all carry, let’s aspire to A. P. gratitude on this Thanksgiving Day by reflecting upon:
God’s grace
God is . . . a personal Father who cares,
and not a God who merely wound up the world with a key
and then went away to let it run by itself.
God’s grace is a certainty, even amid the turmoil of today’s world.
–Unknown
God’s faithfulness
No matter what we are going through, no matter how long the wait for answers,
of one thing we may be sure: God is faithful.
He keeps His promises.
What He starts, He finishes . . .including His perfect work in us.
–Gloria Gaither (2)
God’s goodness
Of all the things our minds can think about God,
it is thinking upon his goodness that pleases him most
and brings the most profit to our soul.
–Julian of Norwich
God’s compassion
Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow;
the same everlasting Father who cares for you today
will take care of you tomorrow and every day.
Either he will shield you from suffering,
or he will give you unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace then, put aside all anxious thoughts
and imaginings, and say continually:
‘The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart has trusted in him and I am helped.
He is not only with me but in me and I in him.’
–St. Francis de Sales
God’s love
All shall be well, all shall be well . . .
for there is a force of love moving through the universe
that holds us fast and will never let us go.
–Julian of Norwich
With these eternal gifts bestowed upon us—God’s fatherly care, promise-keeping faithfulness, ever-reliable goodness, soul-strengthening compassion, and never failing love, we surely have everything we need.
Notes:
- http://www.crosswalk.com/faith-spiritual-life/inspring-quotes/30-christian-quotes-about-thankfulness.html
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Quoted in Values for Life, Walnut Grove Press, 2004.
Art & Photo Credits: http://www.wikimedia.org; http://www.canva.com (2); http://www.pixy.org; http://www.pixabay.com; http://www.canva.com; http://www.snappygoat.com; http://www.heartlight.org.
From the Inside Out 
Let us remember God’s goodness on this day and every day forward, giving Him our thanks and praise.
Happy Thanksgiving, Nancy!
Thank you, Martha! We enjoyed a Zoom call yesterday with family spread over three states. Yes indeed, let’s remember God’s goodness every day and celebrate him with thanks and praise. It’s an important means of the abundant life!
I love this thought, Nancy. I sat in church sometime ago and complained to God about a situation I was experiencing. I sensed a prompting in my Spirit. “Tell Me who I am in this situation!” It was exactly what you speak of here. When we remind our hearts of God’s attributes and speak them back to Him in a prayer of thanksgiving, we quickly realize nothing is over our heads, but all under His feet. Thank you for always pointing us to Him.
“Nothing is over our heads, but all under His feet.” Beautiful truth, artfully said! Thank you, Heidi. So appreciate you sharing your experience. That prompting of the Spirit, “Tell Me who I am in this situation,” is also well worth remembering and putting into practice. I’m writing it down and putting it with my prayer cards!
If nothing is over our heads and all under His feet, then we must logically conclude that the best place we can find ourselves would be, in any circumstance, at His feet 🙂
Indeed–worshiping at his footstool (Psalm 99:5)!
The past few days I’ve been a bit anxious…so this post was especially helpful to me. The St. Francis de Sales quote was perfect as it calmed my soul. And I truly enjoyed the verse/pictures you created. I so appreciate your blog, Nancy.
I found that quote to be especially comforting as well. Praise God you find the blog posts worthwhile, Cheri!
What an inspirational post and challenging too. I spend some time just dwelling in these words and quotes this morning, Thanks Nancy
Praise God, Jean! There is inspiration and challenge for me too among these quotes.
Hi Nancy,
You always present great organized and well-designed lessons on your blog. The Lord has given you an online classroom and I pray your students are taking the lesson in.
Merry Christmas,
Gary
Thank you, Gary. I pray you and your family enjoy a blessed Advent, though it’s going to look different this year, isn’t it!
Nancy, yes, yes! If we ever needed to purposefully focus on the Lord it’s right now. Too much is distracting and hindering our attention to Who matters most. Thank you for this needed reminder, especially in this beautiful season of Advent.
Bless you!
Indeed, purposeful focus on our God through praise and worship is always needful, always a blessing! Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting, Linda!