I remember the day that just the right definition of a word popped out of my mouth.  We had hiked up and were now atop a nearby hill, overlooking a valley on the one side and the Ocean far off to the other.  The sun was about to set and the sky, which had been cloudy and overcast now reflected the colors of the setting sun in a brilliant display that stretched from one end of our visible creation to the other.  Magnificent!  The boys all gathered round and I said, "Praise God!"

"Mama, what does that mean?"  My inquisitive middle child always wants to understand so that he can choose if he agrees or not.  So I thought carefully before I spoke these next words.

"To Praise means to tell a person what a good job they've done.  When we see something beautiful in creation like this, who do you think is the One who did it?"

"God."  He simply said.

"Well, I was just telling Him what a good job I think He did, when making tonight's sunset."  He smiled.  We all did.

Then I asked them, "Would you like to tell God what a good job He did on the sky?"  And without a moments hesitation my oldest, most thoroughly believing son yelled out, "GOOD JOB, GOD!"

It's been our catch phrase of Praise ever since.  When we drive up the coast and catch our first glimpse of the Ocean, coming up against the bluest sky, "Good job, God!"  When we drive up into the mountains looking for a place to sled and see a bank of snow piled up along the side of the road,"Good job, God!"  When we've had a day of play and our hearts are full and everyone is ready for a restful night of sleep, "Good job, God."

It's so important to me that we don't get lost in the Christian-ese of "Praise the Lord... I'll be praying for you... God Bless you..." and other phrases that may or may not move us to praise, pray, or be blessed.  I want to raise up our boys into men who know what these phrases mean, who know what the experience is of praying for those around us, desiring God's blessing for those we know and love, and Praising God, truly Praising Him, for all we see and receive.

Mama, do you know what it means?  If you have been reading this blog and don't quite understand who God is or how to know Him better, please send me a message so that we can start a conversation about His incredible love for you and your children.  

And may God bless you.

PRAISE THE LORD!

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