Monday, December 17, 2018

How Do You Praise God?



My husband and I came across a Netflix show called Designated Survivor.  Have you seen it?

At first I became so intrigued with it because the storylines were interesting and kept me wondering what was going to happen next, even if the background sets were tremendously unrealistic.

But, after watching a whole season, and then some, I have begun to see a pattern that is actually getting a little tiring.  Just when one thing gets resolved, another unbelievable crisis pops up.

And admittedly, I have a little trouble following all of the characters.  I am forever pausing to ask my husband, “Who was that person?  When did we seem him?  What did he do?”

The idea of crises popping up unexpectedly is a lot like real life though, I must admit. Doesn’t it seem like once things settle just a little, something else always crops up?

As a matter of fact, a few years ago, whenever I would say—out loud—“Isn’t this nice?  Things are going so well, everyone is settled, etc.” within a few hours of my statement, things would start to happen.

It got so bad that I made a commitment to myself not to say anything like that out loud!  Now you might think it’s funny, or that I am kidding, but let me tell you, it’s true.  

Of course, I found myself with a great dilemma—how do I openly express gratitude to God when it seems that I am endangering the peace? (I know I really don’t have that kind of power, but it sure felt like it!)

Just to give you an example, my husband and I went up north one weekend for just an overnight because we wanted to take this nice little boat trip to an island and have dinner.  We managed the trip and the dinner and when we got back to the quiet of our room, I uttered the fateful words that I can no longer say out loud.

Within—literally—ten minutes of me speaking them, we got a phone call to tell us our son was on his way to the hospital.  Rushing home that night led to a week in the hospital!  Of course, he’s fine now, but that was the first of other instances that have forced me to refrain from outward gratitude expressed to my husband in sentences like “Isn’t this nice?  Just for this moment, all is quiet.”

But I must say, I am now beginning—very slowly—to gain a renewed confidence that maybe, just maybe, it was all a coincidence, this joining of my words and trouble.

Perhaps I should test the waters once again, because I think giving God gratitude for everything is important.  Too often today, we give ourselves credit for the good that comes our way and we simply forget about God.

Whatever good we do, whatever gifts we have, whatever kindness is in us, is from God; we are co-workers with him.  In light of this understanding, it really is false piety for us to deny these things when someone compliments us, because it is a denial of the Holy Spirit in us.

There are ways to accept compliments without being conceited, especially if we know where the credit should be placed.

I have heard a few priests, upon receiving a compliment, immediately give God praise for his work in them, usually through the occasional, softly uttered “Praise God.” 

Maybe those simple words would be a good place for me to start testing the waters again!

Janet Cassidy
Janetcassidy.com

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