## 136:1
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> His Lovingkindness Endures Forever
>> Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his lovingkindness endures forever.

Occasion: When gratitude feels hard

Lord, the room is quiet,
and I can name what hurts,
what I cannot afford,
the absence I keep noticing.

These are not small things to me.
They take up space in my thoughts
and make gratitude feel almost dishonest.

I do not have bright words tonight.
I can't pretend that pain is a gift
or that disappointment doesn't matter.
Give me one true thank you
that is not forced,
one word of gratitude
that does not ask me to deny what is hard.

Keep me from treating Your goodness like a lie
just because this day was hard.
And keep me from using gratitude
to hurry past my sorrow.

Let me see one small thing You have kept for me ---
breath in my lungs,
warmth in my body,
light in the dark.

You are still good, even here, even tonight.

Amen.