September is probably my favorite month. September always feels like we are rounding the corner to my favorite time of year. It can still be warm, but it guarantees cooler times ahead. It promises the aroma of fallen leaves and trees of brilliant colors. It reminds that the holiday season is on its way. I think I could live forever in September.

I know we are still a couple weeks away from the official start of autumn, but something about September also reminds me to be thankful.  In September I always seem to re-start a season of thankfulness.  From here to the end of the year, my mind consistently returns to one passage of Scripture. “Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  [1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 HCSB]

God’s will for us is that we are joyful always, praying continually, and giving thanks – no matter the circumstances.

No one ever said God’s will for us is easy, but He did tell us that His burden is light.  And nothing lightens our burdens like being joyful in the Spirit amid them.  Nothing makes us stronger than having ready prayer flowing forth.  And nothing makes us better able to persevere or endure those circumstances that are difficult than a constant offering of thanksgiving from a heart that has been captured by God’s grace.

This, of course, should be our attitude all year long.  I know I set out to make it so.  Yet when September comes, there seems to be a refreshing of my spirit that arrives with a renewed commitment to be joyful always, praying continually, and giving thanks to my Lord and Savior.