I turn 31 today. More than anything I am feeling thankful for the years I have been given. God has given me many good times, a few difficult times, and many, many mundane days. Don't get me wrong—I am thankful for the mundane days, too. I don't think I could handle the excitement of every day being special or exciting and I'm glad the number of difficult days have been kept to a minimum, considering 31 years.

The hymn "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" has been going through my mind all morning. Every line applies to the goodness of God I've seen in my life. My soul has been stirred to praise God for His many, many blessings, first of which is the great love that He has lavished on me.

I would encourage you to read, sing, and meditate on these words. Your time will not be wasted.

“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;
Praise Him in glad adoration!

Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires all have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, who hath fearfully, wondrously, made thee!
Health hath vouchsafed and, when heedlessly falling, hath stayed thee.
What need or grief ever hath failed of relief?
Wings of His mercy did shade thee.

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee,
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love doth befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord, who, when tempests their warfare are waging,
Who, when the elements madly around thee are raging,
Biddeth them cease, turneth their fury to peace,
Whirlwinds and waters assuaging.

Praise to the Lord! Oh, let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him!
Let the Amen sound from His people again;
Gladly for aye we adore Him.”