Gratitude – Let Go of Limitations
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! Psalm 95:1-2
When Helen Keller was nineteen months old, she contracted an illness that left her deaf and blind. Despite this, she, with the help of her governess, Anne Mansfield Sullivan, learned to read and write and eventually graduated from Harvard Cum Laude, becoming the first deaf-blind person to graduate from college. Helen Keller dedicated her entire life to helping people see the potential in their own lives and the lives of those around them.
When she was just a child she wrote to the famous preacher Phillips Brooks and reflected a spirit of thankfulness that characterized her life: “It fills my heart with joy to know that God loves me so much that he wishes me to live always, and that he gives me everything that makes me happy—loving friends, a precious little sister, sweet flowers, and the warm sunshine, and best of all, a mind that can think and enjoy and a heart that can love and sympathize.” 1
Limitless God
The odds were stacked against Helen Keller when she became blind at a young age. Despite this, she was able to express her gratitude to God. She didn’t focus on her limitations but on the limitless God who filled her heart with joy and gratitude—the limitless God who opened her eyes to His blessings.
Most of us will not have severe limitations as Helen Keller had, but we all have our limitations. Perhaps we are limited by socio-economic circumstances. Perhaps we have been limited by past events that have prevented us from reaching our full potential. Perhaps the words spoken over our lives have caused us to limit ourselves. Despite our perceived limitations, God has set us on the path that He has ordained for us. It is on this path that He wants us to see the wonderful blessing He has bestowed on our lives. It is on this path that He wants to show us how He wants to use our God-given potential. Let us, then, do everything in His name, with a heart of gratitude.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
Let us let go of our limitations and lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving to our limitless God who has dealt bountifully with us.
1Raymond W. Albright, from Notable Harbour Illustrations: Volume 7
I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:6 (ESV)
Reflection:
Take time to think about the things in your life that you perceive as limitations. Give them to the Lord so that He can show you the bounty of His blessings.
Prayer:
Lord, my heart is full of gratitude to You. Thank You for the path that You have placed me on. Thank You for Your bountiful blessings. I lift my voice in praise and thanks to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
