I’m having a day off today, it’s my Birthday. That’s not going to be a day off from ‘Thanksgiving’, but from writing. However I do just want to write out the words of one hymn that I feel is so true and expresses my heart today.
Lord for the years your hand has kept and guided,
Urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way,
Sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided:
Lord of the years, we bring our thanks today.
Birthdays are such a good time for looking back and thanking God for all His faithfulness over the years, and today I can say without doubt His faithfulness is really beyond anything I could have imagined when I became a Christian 54 years ago, when I hardly knew what I was ‘signing up to’.
So today I am thanking Him for all the forgiveness and grace known, and probably, more than I can comprehend, unknown to me, that has been poured out on me over the years.
I want to thank Him for all the guidance he has given me, the protection from mistakes and for the restoration after mistakes have been made. For the gentle leading, prodding and sometimes hedging me in so that I would go the right way.
I want to give thanks for the unending love and blessing, and all the times of refreshing and joy.
For the endless encouragements through tough times, and comfort in times of real sorrow.
What an incredible all encompassing loving Heavenly Father we have, there is nothing that happens without Him being there for us, in such beautiful ways. He is always what we need Him to be.
The chances of it being your Birthday today are very slim, but may be you could still look back over your life, and thank Him for “all the years His hand has kept and guided” you too.
Like me you might be amazed.