True Effectiveness Requires Thankfulness - I'm Thankful for the Grace and Blessings God Gives!

When we think about thanking God, we often think about singing. There is good reason for this as a thankful heart is a happy heart and a happy heart often is one which sings! Look at Psalm 95:2 -

Let us come to him and give him thanks. Let us praise him with music and song. (NIrV)

Thankfulness and singing go together. One way for us to help the children in our ministries learn to be thankful, is to help them become people who sing praises to God. There are some really wonderful new songs being written today; songs which will "stand the test of time" and be songs future generations will continue to sing. But, there are songs which were written hundreds of years ago which have also stood the test of time; songs which speak to us today as they have spoken to believers for many, many years. As you think about the songs you teach the children in your ministry, don't forget some of the old "classics" as they can not only give children an opportunity to, "Praise Him with music and song", but they can also teach children truth.

Look at the lyrics for once such song which calls us to focus on God's blessings, mercy and grace; and are not these the things we do when we are being thankful? It is an old song (written in 1757), but definitely a good one!

Come thou fount of every blessing Tune my heart to sing Thy grace. Streams of mercy never ceasing Call for songs of loudest praise. Teach me some melodious sonnet Sung by flaming tongues above. Here's my heart, Lord, take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above.

Here I raise my Ebenezer Hither by Thy help I come. And I hope by Thy good pleasure Safely to arrive at home. Jesus, sought me when a stranger Wandering from the fold of God. He, to rescue me from danger Interposed His precious blood.


Ode to grace, how great a debtor Daily I'm constrained to be. And let Thy goodness like a fetter Bind my wandering heart to Thee. Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it Prone to leave the God I love. Here's my heart, Lord, take and seal it Seal it for Thy courts above.

Our God is the source for every one of our blessings. His mercy is never ceasing and they absolutely do call for songs for loudest praise! Jesus did seek us when we were wandering and He rescued us - we are great debtors to His grace; the least we can do in response is to give Him our hearts!

As you think about this very old song, think about the very true message and consider helping the children in your ministry learn it as you thank God for the grace and blessings He gives!