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Before the sun goes down on another day, let me be sure to take time to thank God for his faithfulness and praise him for his goodness and for answered prayers.

You’ve probably heard the old song lyrics, “Praise him, praise him, praise him in the morning, praise him in the noontime, praise him, praise him, praise him when the sun goes down.”

But how often do we take time amid the hustle, bustle and distractions in our ever-busy lives to express our admiration of God (and/or to God)?

Why is it so easy to gloss over times when we detect God’s loving hand in our daily lives? We feel “something” for a moment … maybe even thankfulness … but how often we rush on without allowing our hearts to burst into “out loud” praise. At least I know I do.

Representing Marketplace Consignment Sale, I was a vendor at the Community Baby Fair hosted recently by our local hospital, Southern Tennessee Regional Health System.

I thought it’d be fun and clever to give out miniature PayDay candy bars. We put stickers on each promotional treat listing the sale website and proclaiming, “Your Payday Awaits!”

Looking to that day’s entry in my prayer journal reminded me I prayed that morning, “God, let me shine your love to those who come … what an exciting time for their families – and how much you are needed! May we thank you and praise you and seek your will for our children and for us. Amen!”

The next day, I didn’t write in my journal, but I asked God for his protection and for a time of fun and joy for our family as we traveled to the Cornbread Festival in South Pittsburg, which brings me to share a rather obvious case of God’s faithfulness.

It seems this spring has been especially blustery. You’ve likely noticed – so many windy days we’ve had! Add in all those festival tents and you have ingredients for challenges.

Pushing our grandson in his stroller, I entered one tent to view their crafts. No sooner had we entered that a powerful gust blew through, making it feel like we were caught in a wind tunnel. Part instinct/mostly divine guidance, I turned the stroller away, shielding him as displays came crashing down, glass breaking all around.

The whole scary episode lasted seconds. That’s what we hear, isn’t it … how quickly things can happen. Wind still blowing, a couple rushed over and helped me lift the stroller, baby in it completely unharmed, up and over all the glass and debris to get out of that tent.

The lady had seen what happened, and she praised me for doing a good job protecting the baby. But I knew it wasn’t really me, and I certainly wasn’t who deserved the praise.

But, although I knew that in my heart, I didn’t praise God out loud on the spot.

A couple of mornings later, during my quiet time, the Holy Spirit kindly allowed me to read these verses (as I “came across them” while looking for something else):

“Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled. You who answer prayer, to you all people will come.” (Psalm 65:1-2)

Wow, those words jumped off the page! “Praise awaits you” … those PayDay bars … a vision of God just waiting on me (how patient he must be) … to not just acknowledge his protection in my heart but to PRAISE him – to give him the glory. How obviously he answered my prayer! How faithful and good he is!

And then the notes accompanying those verses in my study Bible: “In Old Testament times, vows were taken seriously and fulfilled completely. No one had to make a vow, but once one was made, it was binding. The vows mentioned here involved promises to praise God for his answers to prayer.”

We hear about people renewing their vows. That morning, I realized maybe it’s time.

I just knew I didn’t want to be one who keeps God waiting for he is worthy – so worthy – of all glory, honor and praise!

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD (Psalm 150:6) … starting with me.

“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.”

Gina Moore, a news-editorial journalism major, has operated Marketplace Consignment Sale for 29 years and has worked part-time at Treasures. She also enjoys country cooking, reading and writing about motherhood, life on the farm and how God’s love and lessons surround residents.