Gratitude in the midst of Adversity

One of my favorite songs popped into my head today as Elijah and I were hanging out in the basement.  I started singing the lyrics to Gratitude by Nichole Nordeman, and Elijah immediately jumped in doing his best to follow along.  It was one of those mommy-son moments I will remember forever.

But more than that, the lyrics really spoke to me today.  I’ve always thought it was a pretty song, but when you stop and take the time to digest the lyrics, they are incredibly profound.  To me, at it’s heart this song speaks about prayer.  I promise you it will be worth it to find a copy of the song to listen to on your own to experience for yourself.

The prayers in this song are for some pretty basic and intense personal needs.  I think at one point or another if we’ve lived long enough, we’ve all had those moments when we look to God and ask for help in a desperate situation.  Like most, we expect Him to move on our behalf.  We ask in faith and expect God to come through.  It’s a pretty Biblical concept.  What we don’t expect is a pause . . . or a delay . . . or an outcome that we didn’t ask for, but this is exactly what happens sometimes.  All we are left with is our own response to our seemingly unanswered prayer.

As I sang the song this morning with Elijah, I hoped in the deepest part of my heart that I have learned to respond to the unanswered prayers in my own life in the same way the singer of the song does – with gratitude.  Acknowledging that even though I don’t understand why God does what He does in the timing that He has, He is in control.  He knows best, and there is much I can learn through the process, if I am willing to do so.

I think the bottom line is that God will provide, He will answer, He will come through for us.  He loves us.  It’s just a matter of timing.  That timing is in His control, not ours.  What an incredible perspective we can embrace in the midst of waiting if we choose to.