The Sacrifice of Praise

Hebrews 13:15 - "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name".  Have you ever contemplated before what a "sacrifice of praise" is?  This year, since Max died, I have come to a deeper understanding of what a sacrifice of praise is - it is praising God when everything within us is deeply in pain, questioning, maybe even angry with Him as we wrestle with His will!    By sending up a sacrifice of praise, you have such an opportunity - in your painful moments you can see the great love of God.

What brought this up tonight, three days before the year anniversary of Max's death?  Another verse - Matthew 11:25 - "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to children".   My 16 year old child has such wisdom... he is the reason I am contemplating these things tonight.

I have Wesley's permission to share this, and I am humbled and blown away by his deep spiritual maturity.  He has been extremely determined to go to the crash site on the year anniversary at the exact time of Max's death - 7:32 a.m.  Why?  Well he just revealed why it is so very important for him to be there.  He wants to take his guitar out there and sing a song of praise to the Lord!  A true sacrifice of praise, given in the most painful of places, out of the most painful event in his young life.

He shared recently on his status that when we earnestly praise God, that all of heaven joins in.  By going to that spot, and praising God with his 16 year old heart and soul, he will be joining MAX in the one activity the bible says we can do with our loved ones in heaven at the same exact time we are doing it on earth - PRAISING GOD.

Wow.  Thank you, Wesley.  I have always known that the Hand of God has been on your life, and the fruit you are bearing in the wake of tragedy is such a beautiful example.  What a great way to connect with Max on the anniversary of his death, and acknowledge God as Sovereign.  I am so proud of you, and so honored to be your mama.