To Be Least

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Listening to the music’s beat, I can hardly stop tapping to that jazz horn’s heat. The music is winding through my legs, and around my hands forcing them into rhythmic motion. This small enjoyment seeps joy into my dancing thoughts.

Thanks, God, for that great beat.

When resting in quiet woods, I shift my eyes to the surrounding scenery draped in beautiful tones of fall. Somewhere in the silent rustling, a wren cheerfully sings out his love song for the whole world to hear. The blue sky, floating above wisps of cloud, stares at me from his lofty height. I am speechless.

Thank you, Lord, for nature’s beauty.

I flip through pages of the news magazine. Scenes of terror and panic fly out towards me. Death and destruction follow close behind them in mad pursuit. Within its thin pages, a woman can be heard crying for her lost son. My eyes turn away from the horror that cries for my attention.

Thank you, Jesus, for personal peace amidst war.

Before I retire to my warm bed, Lord, there is something bigger than this world and its fleeting happiness to give thanks for. It is your love, Lord. You stood silently as whips gouged and nails pierced. You openly received God’s full wrath for all mankind’s sin.

Lord, I thank you for taking the torture I deserved.

What more can I say? Thank you.