"Tough Love IN being THANKFUL"

"Tough Love IN being THANKFUL"

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (Psalms 100:1-5 KJV)

Psalms 100 is one of my favorite chapters in the book of Psalms. It simply tells us to praise The Lord, Serve Him with a Merry Heart, with a song on your heart, know that God has created us and none of our own doing. When we enter His Gates we should have a Spirit of Thanksgiving and into His Courts shifting the atmosphere with Praise. Be Thankful for who He is unto Him, plainly put He is Good. The Lord's Mercy is everlasting and unexplainable and He is the Truth and His Truth abides(remain), sustains(support/hold), withstands(to stand) and yields(produce) to ALL creations(generations). That was my paraphrase, rewording and translation of Psalms 100, it is my heart matter. 

On Sunday I experienced something that broke my heart. By Jayden being the only child he pretty much gets what he wants. Now, he does not ask for much when he does ask. We both have been learning and living out a HARD matter, and that is cutting WAY back and being thankful for what we have. Jayden is very observant, at times it appears he is not paying attention but those are the times he is most alert. When I am in the a salon working Jayden is able to see my clients giving me money for a service I rendered to them. He SEES money coming in but doesn't have a clue on what I have to pay out. We normally communicate about everything, but paying bills and staying a float we don't need to discuss those matters. Jayden is 8 years old and needs to remain pure at heart and free of worries. We rushed out of church on Sunday to meet with the mechanic because we barely made it the way the car was jerking on the way to church. Got to the mechanic's house and he accessed the car told me the problem and how much. I called Auto Zone ordered the part and went from there. In all the hustle and bustle I had to still be a Mother and feed my child. Before getting the car squared away I had to go to the grocery store. While in the store picking up the things we NEEDED and the things that were in the budget, Jayden wanted something that wasn't on the list or in the budget. So I said "let's compromise and get this instead of that". He said, "that's ok Mommy, I don't want anything". I said, "Jayden, keep in mind Mommy has to get the car fixed". I said, "we MUST be thankful for what we have"! He started to pout and was in a foul mood, so unlike him. Normally if I say I can't do a certain thing he says, "okay Mommy". But here lately I have been saying no which seems for a long while, due to cutting back and being Thankful for where we currently are. By no means is he spoil, he just doesn't really understand. We pay for our things and get in the car and Jayden has the saddest look on his face. I turn to him and say, "son, I so apologize and it will not always be this way". I went on to say, "we must ALWAYS be happy and Thankful for what we have, God is Faithful and He will Provide for us". By this time his eyes were filled with the biggest pocket of tears I have ever seen. He broke down out of hurt and cried his eyes out. My knees buckled because I felt his pain but refused to let a tear flow or fall. I told him, "Mommy's new job is coming soon and things will be much better". Needless to say, he cried even harder. At this time I am silently praying to The Lord and saying, "ok, these fancy words that I am so eloquently speaking are not working". This is where the story gets REAL!! LISTEN Jay, I need you to sit up straight, wipe your tears and KNOW who God is to You!!! I go on to tell him that, "God is a God of timing and when He opens the door I am going to run track getting there". While we are here, we will give Him Praise and Thanksgiving, I said, "He is our Father and He knows BEST"! It's going to happen, we must keep praying and believe!! Then Mommy 101 rose up and said, "you wanna ride or walk"? Right now, we have to get the things we need and not so much of the wants. I reminded him that we are BETTER than Blessed and we WILL give Thanksgiving unto The Lord.   I put the car in reverse and drove off into the sunset, his whole attitude and demeanor took a turn for the better. I am a Nurturer by nature but the Soldier and Tough Love had to take a difficult STAND.  Psalms 100 was heavy on my heart this am, because in a paraphrasing way I was telling Jayden  that on Sunday. I remember when he recited Psalms 100 verbatim at church and he was about 6 years old, it brought tears to my eyes. Now today at 8 years old he is not reciting it we are walking, living and breathing it.  And I leave you with this, "Be Thankful UNTO Him and Bless His Name, For The Lord IS Good; His Mercy is everlasting; and His Truth endureth to ALL generations. Psalms 100:4(clause b,5)

No matter what, God is MOST Faithful and Psalms 100 is a POWERFUL reminder. 

Happy Thanksgiving to ALL!! Enjoy and Love on your Family for Family is MOST Important and a Blessing to have.  QDJ

This Devotional is dedicated to my Champion, King Jayden whom takes a licking and keep on ticking! I Love Him and I am most Thankful that God chose me to raise him.