Pause and Take Time to Rejoice
Sunday, August 4, 2024 by Melissa McLaughlin

Childlike Gratitude

The notes jingled in the distance. My children’s faces perked up, their eyes brightened, and the pleading commenced. The anticipation was palpable when the ice cream truck stopped in our neighborhood.

This was not quality ice cream, mind you. The ice creams cost $1. Our choices included sherbet popsicles shaped like Spongebob, ice milk that pushed through a tube on a stick, and chocolate éclair bars. But our children loved these summertime novelties and begged for them every time the ice cream truck made its rounds.

When we acquiesced, the kids’ exuberance radiated with squeals, grins, jumps for joy, and heartfelt thanks. Although buying a treat from the ice cream truck did not cost much or last long, this simple pleasure left the sweetest memories lingering.

Pausing to Rejoice

Throughout our lives, we bring many prayer requests before the Lord, for things that matter more than ice cream. We ask God for health, relationships, salvation for loved ones, wisdom for decisions, and deepening faith in ourselves, to name a few.

Sometimes we pray for small, daily graces. I was praying for rain for our region recently, as it has been a dry season. When the rain finally came, I listened for the sheer joy of it and thanked God.

Only later did I remember the enthusiastic responses of my children when they received the gift of an ice cream.

Where is my rejoicing, squealing, grinning, or jumping for joy when I thank the Lord?

Father, forgive me for giving you a quick nod for answered prayer, then going on with my day.

Pause and Take Time to Rejoice for Answered Prayer

I am praying for a heart of gratitude and spiritual eyes attuned to God’s daily blessings, whether great or small. Gratitude warms our hearts toward God as we remember His tender loving care. Additionally, our faith is strengthened as we pause and recount God’s provision in the past. Further, we are enriched with greater faith in God and His promises for the future. Gratitude is a massive faith-builder!

Father God, help me take time to rejoice at answered prayer! To remember and celebrate the wonderful things you have done! To offer childlike thanksgiving and jubilant praise for the blessings you shower upon me.

A Reason to Rejoice

Therefore, today I’d like to pause and share an amazing blessing God provided in my life. This answered prayer has been a long time coming. I’m thrilled to announce that I signed a book contract with CLC Publications! All glory to God!

Thank you first to Jesus! In addition, thank you to CLC, my agent, Dave Fessenden, and all the wonderful people who read my writing (that’s you!), pray for me, and encourage me! Thanks also to Kim Clark, for the professional photo (below), especially because I don’t enjoy getting my picture taken.

The book’s title is The Whole Bible Devotional: Seeing Jesus in Every Book of the Bible. It will be released in early 2025.

Thank you for supporting my writing and my walk with the Lord. I thank God for your faith and your kindness to me. May we keep spurring each other toward Christ, with all the energy and zeal of a child receiving the best gift ever. Because that’s what Jesus is!

I cherish your prayers in this publishing journey. The prayers of the righteous availeth much! Whenever you think of me, please pray for me. Only God can do this. If you would like to be on my prayer team to pray for specific publishing needs, please let me know. Thank you, friends!

Now It’s Your Turn!

We don’t get a book contract every day. However, every day God pours out His blessings. Please let me know your reason to rejoice. Do you have an answered prayer? Has God sent rain on the earth in your area or refreshed your soul in a special way? These testimonies are faith-builders.

Let’s testify of God’s goodness!

Let’s take time to rejoice at the great things God has done!

Psalm 145:1-6 ESV – I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.

Spiritual Life

Join author and teacher, Melissa McLaughlin, and grow in Truthful Grace as we ignite the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit in our hearts, minds, prayers and lives. Grow in Christ, grow in the knowledge of His Word, the Bible, grow the passion in your prayers.

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