7 Reasons to Praise God

Photo credit: hotblack from morguefile.com

Gratitude and praise for God go hand in hand. Today as I was thinking about recent occurrences a desire to praise and thank Him grew. This post is the result of my musings.

Many of you know, or maybe not, that I live in rural Illinois. Farming is the family occupation. My husband, his brother and a son of both farm corn and soy beans. We are blessed with a large extended family which, praises to the Most High, get along very well. #1

This area of Western Illinois seems to be blessed this year. Travel no more than twenty miles in any direction and the effects of the heat and drought can be seen. On the last day of June a rain storm delivered three inches of rain. Some areas of the county received more.
No rain had been forecast and no where else in the area received it. God blessed our county with this miracle at the right time. It was pollination of the corn crop. Rain is crucial then. #2

Photo credit: hotblack from morguefile.com

August is the time which is critical for soybeans. They set pods then. If they have no rain fewer pods will be on each plant. This past week we and, praise God, a large area received an inch of rain or more. These two rains have saved the crops for our area. They were the only rains of any amount between the end of June and now. Because of them, even with the extreme heat of July this area will not have crop failure this year. #3

The June rain also allowed farmers who bale hay to take the second crop of the season. Now with the August rain a third cutting will be possible in September. We don’t grow hay but I praise God for His provision for those who do. #4

In September my second book in the Cottonwood series, Lord’s Love, will be released. The town where I launched Healing Love doesn’t have any type of fall festival. I was wondering why venue I could use for this event. At McDonald’s in town one day as I sold a copy of Healing Love several ladies and I were chatting about this issue. In a nearby booth was a lady with her grandson. She asked, “What about the Sherrard Pumpkin Fest, Sept. 29th?” We talked and now Lord’s Love with be launched at the event. #5

Dianne is the chairman and she is often asked to promote the Fest on a local TV show, Paula Sands Live. When Dianne spoke with the producer she mentioned my book. Now, when she is on the show Wed. Sept. 26th she will have copies of my book to promote also. #6

This month I am writing Giving Love, the third of the Cottonwood series. When God pressed upon me to being writing I requested that He give me the stories. Immediately Lydia and Sterling’s came into my mind. He has been faithful to my request. Giving Love now has about 20,000 words drafted. The plot and sub-plot are formed in my head just needing time to be typed out. #7

Of course there are many other praises I could innumerate. These are ones I wanted to share. Look at your day and past days, weeks and months and see how God has worked in your life and the lives of others. Then, I hope you will take the time to express your gratitude and praise to Him who provides all good things.

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