Thanksgiving has come and gone. Can we linger just a little longer on thanksgiving before we move onto Christmas?
“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalm 34:1, NASB)
One of the definitions of ‘continually’ is “without an intermission” (dictionary.com). In other words, ongoing.
Typing that word, ongoing, brought to mind the children’s song that says,
“This is the song that doesn’t end. Yes, it goes on and on, my friend. Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was. And, they’ll continue singing it forever, just because…”
My kids used to sing it in the car on long rides to help pass the time. The point was to see who could outlast who, but they always ended up busting into laughter. When I looked the song up, I had to laugh as printed at the end of the lyrics was these words:
“(repeat forever)”
Maybe that should be our instruction: Bless the Lord. Praise the Lord. Thank the Lord. (repeat forever)
Seeing as we can only verbally speak one sentence at a time, it is safe to say, it would be virtually impossible to have both praise and complaints coming out of our mouths at the very same time.
The words to another song, an old hymn, came to mind:
“And while the ages roll I’ll keep on praising Him And my voice will never tire or grow old And my song shall ever be Praise the Lamb who died for me And I’ll sing it while ages shall roll.”
Maybe this is what the psalmist had in mind. That we are to keep on praising Him, our voice not tiring. We are to remember the precious Lamb, our perfect Savior, who died for us so that we might live.
How can this be achieved?
Maybe praise, or thanksgiving is a habit. Maybe it is a habit we can develop at any point in life. Maybe it is achieved by simply beginning.
Eugene Peterson helped me out with his wording from The Message: “I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise.”
Or maybe we can say it this way: Every chance I get, I will praise the Lord.
May praise be the song that doesn’t end.
May praise be the song that goes on and on, my friend.
Repeat forever.
It seems I am not the only one holding onto the thought of giving thanks often. In her post, “A Thanksgiving Lifestyle”, Barbara Lee Harper bring this reminder: “We can give God thanks whether we feel thankful or not. Usually, once we do, the feelings come.” You can read the entire post by clicking on the title.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Praise the Lord! (Repeat) I love this post Joanne.
Reminding us to be in a perpetual state of thanksgiving & praise to the Lord…is what we’re actually called to do. 😊
Blessings, Jennifer
“Repeat forever.” I love that. We have so much to be thankful for. Our prayers are often a little lopsided on the request side. May we remember to thank Him as much as we ask from Him.
Thanks so much for featuring my post.
Yes! Yes, YES! Can we please linger a bit with Thanksgiving before moving on to Christmas!! I praise God for YOU, Joanne and your sweet spirit leading us to remember the song that never ends, for we will sing it forever before the Throne of God.
YES, to a lifestyle of Thanksgiving, even as we are pushed into the Christmas hustle and bustle, may we remember to thank Him for the Greatest Gift ever given, and the most magnificent gift we have ever received.
“It would be virtually impossible to have both praise and complaints coming out of our mouths at the very same time.” What a great point, Joanne! Especially as I get older, I want to be the kind of person for whom thanksgiving is the natural response, rather than negativity. I love your encouragement to simply begin giving thanks. And then, of course, to repeat it forever. 🙂
Also, I have been mostly offline for a few weeks, so this is my first glimpse of your new blog design. I LOVE it! So fresh and inviting!
Joanne, I like the new look on your site. And thank you for that needful invitation to linger longer over Thanksgiving. Why are we racing ahead? We celebrate Jesus every day of the year.
“Repeat forever” – LOVE that and so true. We hear this reminder often in the Word and especially Psalms, but sadly we can so easily succumb to complaining or grumbling about what is happening in the world and our own lives as darkness seems to grow darker day by day. We;;
Well said and a perfect reminder to start today and every day!
I love this, Joanne. If we don’t focus on praise and thanksgiving, it seems that complaining can become our default. Thanks for the reminder that we are to “repeat forever” the praises of God!
“Repeat forever.” I like that and I appreciate Eugene Peterson’s way of saying it to. Every chance I get!
Oh that song! It brings back a smile and memories of boys in the back singing and annoying each other just for fun!!
I like your version best!
“Repeat forever.” What a wonderful invitation! And I like the new look on your website, Joanne!
I know the “song that never ends.” 😉 This is a good call to gratitude all year long.
The Message always hooks my attention and makes me think about what God is trying to impress upon me!
Amen Ms. Joanne. It isn’t that I have to wait for some blessing to occur to give Him praise, the fact that I’m still here and able to praise Him is the blessing. So many of us miss out on that truth. Thank you ma’am. And I’ve never heard of that song, but it’s one I’ll remember. God’s blessings ma’am, and thank you for your always-encouraging words.
Oh gosh, now I’ll have that song in my mind all day! 🙂 And that is a very good thing with the word changes you made that put praise on repeat – but it is never a broken record.
Forever and ever! Your post is such a good reminder to find gratitude in every day and make it a priority to praise God for the life He’s blessed me with!
I’m with Lynn, now I’ll have the song on my mind. My kids sang it a lot!!!! I’ll have to remember to use the new words and praise God always!
“May praise be the song that doesn’t end.
May praise be the song that goes on and on, my friend.
Repeat forever.”
Amen!
Praise God forever and ever–yes! There’s so much to praise Him for. I love the recommendation to praise Him wheneverwe get a chance. I think that would spread hope, joy, and love. Thank you for this uplifting message, Joanne. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas.
I love all this and that if I am praising I am not complaint. All beautifully put.