The messages of the Bible are sometimes subtle and therefore missed. Such is the letter writing habit of the most prominent New Testament writer, Paul. The ancient writers followed a form that can be a lesson for each of us as Christians in a perverse world that is headed for its ultimate destruction. Listening to the news, which is always negative, or dwelling on our own problems is easy and often controls our days. If any one had reason to gripe about his lack of comfort, remuneration, or ease of lifestyle, it was Paul. Yet each of his letters, after the usual greetings, begins with praise to God for His grace and gifts. Read verse 8 of Romans; verse 4 of I Corinthians; verse 3 of II Corinthians; verses 3-5 of Galatians; verse 3 of Ephesians, and so on. In all of his sufferings, Paul praised God first in each of his letters. While this was known to be a common practice of ancient letters, I think God had a subtle message for us there.
What is the first problem you think of upon awakening? Do you bark at your kids to get up or they’ll be late? Do you moan and groan over the chores that lay ahead? If each day of life is a gift from God, then maybe we should take our cue from Paul and begin each new day (“letter”) with praise and thanksgiving for another day to serve and to make right what we should have done yesterday. Children learn to be grumpy if their parents are. Let’s teach them to begin each day with a positive tone and thank God for each day He gives us. The mindset you put yourself in as the day begins is up to you. Try, for a month, starting each new day with positive thankfulness for the day and for your blessings. Read those verses of Paul’s each day; make a list of just those verses of praise he uses at the beginning of each letter. See if the practice of thanksgiving doesn’t make a tremendous difference. If you teach young children, try singing this verse to the tune of Happy Birthday:
Happy new day to me!
Happy new day to me!
Thank the Lord for my blessings;
Happy new day to me!