Living in Lancaster County, PA—home of the Amish—we see a lot of buggies around here! So the phrase “don’t put the cart before the horse” calls forth some pretty strong imagery in my mind. Instead of envisioning a horse prancing along the roadside, pulling a buggy behind it, I can vividly see how different it would be if that same horse was trying to push that same buggy down the street. It would be slow-going, impossible to steer, and just downright unproductive!
Psalm 100:4-5 reads,
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”
This psalm clearly calls us to a life of thankfulness. But we often put the “what” before the “who.” In other words, we put the cart before the horse. We have a tendency to focus on the what. What can I be thankful for? And if we’re having a particularly bad day, we might have a hard time thinking of any specific things—at all. This psalm, however, reminds us that the reason why we can be thankful—every single day—is because of who God is. “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Our God is Good. Our God is Loving. Our God is Faithful. And because of who he is, we have every reason to give thanks and praise to him—for him—every moment of every day. That means that God is who he says he is, and he’ll do what he says he’ll do. Isn’t that enough?
There’s a “bonus blessing” of focusing on God’s character though. When I focus on giving thanks for who God is, it is liking putting a pair of glasses on. Suddenly, when my concentration is on God’s character, the good and loving acts of his faithfulness begin to come into view. Which means I can now see the what. I see the friend who encourages me in the grocery story. I see the speech pathologist who helps with my son’s stuttering. I see the smile on the face of the special education director when my son with Down syndrome cheerfully greets her with, “Look! It’s the FABULOUS Mrs. Steffy!” And I begin to know God in a deeper way because I am expecting to see him at work in every area of my life. Our God is Good. Our God is Loving. Our God is Faithful. As a result, I find that I have many specific things for which I can be thankful.
So, today, how about “putting the horse before the cart?” Be thankful. First, for who God is. Second, for what he is doing for you: all the ways you see him at work, because you are looking for expressions of his goodness, love and faithfulness. You just might be amazed how much it changes your journey.
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Beautiful. True.
I am so grateful for this post today. We are snowed in and my children are anxious and bored and whiny. I was beginning to lose patience with them. My perspective was off, but after reading your post, it has been tweaked. God has blessed me with three beautiful children, and He is the source of all my blessings and happiness. Thank you for the reminder.
You’re welcome! I need the same reminder frequently too! Hmmm…snow days… with your renewed perspective, could you try to make a memory today…a good one? :>) I once read something in one of Edith Schaeffer’s books where she talked about having a scavenger hunt dinner with her kids. I did that a couple of times with my kids on l-o-n-g nasty, Pennsylvania winter days…and we had a lot of fun! Sometimes a little creativity breaks the monotony and the trapped feeling for everyone. Saying a prayer for you! :>)
Thanks, Stephanie, for the reminder. Merlin Carrother’s book, Prison to Praise, was a lifesaver for me in the hardest years with Joel’s behavioral issues. Praise frees us from Satan’s lies–that we’re going to drown, that we can’t go on, that it’s all impossible–and puts us in touch with direct truth, that God is always present, always loving, always faithful. Great post!
Hi Kathleen! A God-centered perspective makes all the difference for me too!
correction on my name
That was absolutely beautiful. thank you Stephanie that says alot and I would like to share this read with friends
I’m glad it was meaningful to you! Thanks for sharing the post Yolanda!
An excellent point. Especially for me today, with my child’s special needs making my list of grateful-for’s seem short and stale. Always, I can be grateful for Him. Even elbow deep in soiled clothes and tough behavior. That breathes peace in to me right now. Thank you.
That’s a powerful phrase Laurie…that “the list” seems “short and stale.” That happens so easily when we start with the list, doesn’t it? I’m saying a prayer for you right now…for an extra dose of peace tomorrow too.
Timely, as God’s per usual! Thank you, Stephanie. Constant prayer with thanksgiving seem to be God’s latest message on this home front (along with maybe the reminder that I take each day one step at a time).
Constant prayer has a way of keeping us actually grounded in the present too, doesn’t it? Or at least bringing us back to it, when we find ourselves running ahead. Thanks Kelli…
Thanks Steph, for the Who instead of the What.
You’re welcome, my dear friend!
Thank you for this reminder of thanksgiving. This is something that has been lurking up lately in my life and I know God is reminding me to focus not on my families trials, but on His gifts to us, whether they be small or large.
This was a really helpful reminder to me today too! I found myself practicing this much more throughout the day. Thanks for commenting!