Gratitude

In Genesis 12:6-7, God appeared to Abraham and first promised the land of Canaan to him and
his offspring, and there he built an altar. This was at Shechem, located between two
mountains, Mount Ebal (meaning barren) and Mount Gerazim (fruitful). This altar would be an
altar of GRATITUDE, as Abram expressed his gratitude to God for the promise. Has there ever been a Christian who did not have a need to express their gratitude to a merciful and providing
God who meets our spiritual and physical needs in such awesome ways?

I believe that it is significant that as Abraham began to journey on, he again built an altar
between Bethel (meaning house of God) and Ai (ruins). And again he worshipped God.
Worshipping in the house of God – as the family of God – is one means of keeping us from
spiritual ruin. We are reminded by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians that we are not to forsake gathering together as a means of encouraging one another to keep the faith.

God has humbled me many times in my life.. and I'm sure there will be more to come. This past weekend our girls were home for a couple of days. We had not been together in over 6 months. So of course we were so happy to see them and have them home. The highlight of my weekend was sitting in church on Sunday morning. Looking next to me was my family (plus one). As I prayed and worshiped my feelings over took me for the gratitude I had in my heart to see my girls in love with their savior. They worship, study and trust in God because they want to .. not because we have told them they have to. They live in different states, they have different interests, they have different goals. But they never let anything get in the way of forsaking the gathering together to worship. They have more "legitimate" reasons than most for skipping out on church. With college and grad school so very demanding, losing lots of sleep just trying to keep up. Trying to study, do internships and work. But they have learnt what is really important at such a young age. That they can do nothing without God! That He is their everything. So when they come home and allot of families would find that reason to skip out on church and spend time together.. our girls say what time does church start? Yes I am bragging.. that is a mothers right.

Are we perfect.. by far we are not. We are each a work in progress, learning and making mistakes everyday. But as God asks me over and over again.. "what are you building". Today I build my altar a place where I am grateful for our girls "getting it". Grateful that God blessed us with the most awesome family. Grateful for my walk with Him, so that we could teach and prepare them the best we could. Grateful that He is God almighty and our beginning and our end. Grateful that we have a place to worship freely. Grateful that He has given our girls dreams, and callings. I will continue to praise Him. As I watch life change everyday, with so many different mind sets in the church today.. most I don't get... I just want to ask.. "what are you building?" But most important, what or who are you using as a foundation.
I build my altar today my altar of gratitude.