Praise - Good for the Soul

by Rita Shimniok  3/22/24

Who do you praise? When do you praise?
As a parent, when my children were young, I praised them for their accomplishments. Whether it was fitting the right shape into its matching counterpart on the plastic ball, creating a great train track complete with bridge for the Thomas trains, tying their shoe for the first time, and of course, making deposits in the toilet! All were milestones of accomplishments in the lives of my children when they were young.
 
There are times for praise. It is not when your child hides in the garment racks at Kohl’s department store, sending you into a panic. It is not when they run out into the street after a ball without looking for cars…quite the opposite, those are times for stern discussion so they understand that the world is not without danger.
 
Now grown, I praise my children for the making career decisions and their work ethic, but I also realize I fall short as a parent. Why? Because I cannot remember the last time I praised my son for being in the Word of God. When he lived at home, he did this daily. His father had clearly lived a life by example before the Father took him home to eternity. I am one who is more comfortable expressing my self by writing, than I am in speaking words of praise. That doesn't necessarily work in parenting.
 
I also raised a daughter, and for her, I realized she needed to hear those words of praise often. I made a point to tell her how proud I was of her...in high school, and in the job she had working for an accountant, her skills shined forth. She had her struggles, and praise was important. My son was confident in who he was, and I am proud of him for that, but I don’t believe I have told him enough how proud I am.
 
Which brings me to my point… whom do you praise? And for what do you give praise?  I know someone whom I praise, even though He doesn’t need it. In fact, He needs nothing from me, but you know what…when I praise Him, He is pleased. Most importantly, I know Him, because He is my friend.
 
I don’t just praise God when everything in my life is perfect. In fact, it was in my darkest hours, after my husband passed, that I praised my Father in Heaven. I will be honest, I yelled at Him at first. I was mad. It seemed like God was a thousand miles away and did not care. But deep down, I knew he was with me… I was not forsaken.

Praise Him, all His angels: praise Him, all His hosts.  Praise Him, sun and moon: praise Him, all you stars of light.  Praise Him, you heavens of Heavens, and you waters that be above the heavens.---Psalm 148:2-4

It was a day I shall not forget, even though it was close to nine years ago.  I had been showing my strong side to my children, now without a father, for a month. I had to figure out how I was going to make a living and support my children. I felt I could not grieve in front of them. One day, while they were at school, I took time for myself. I found a place of peace and quiet.

I cried, yelled, and listened to a CD by Meredith Andrews, “Worth It All”. The lyrics took me through all phases of worship. Despair. Anguish. Also, feeling God’s presence, and being held by One that I could feel, was grieving with me.  
 
A message was placed upon my heart, that my husband’s journey had its purpose, for I learned A LOT! Life lessons are for learning, and gaining wisdom – but you have to seize it, and use it for the good of others. That day I yelled at God, but I also praised Him! I thanked YHWH for His presence. I was very unsure about my path going forward, but I knew that I was not alone. I placed my trust in God for my earthly future.
 
Daily I praise God. I thank Jesus daily for being with me. I ask Him for guidance as I work for the benefit of others. In my line of work, occult practices are common. I have studied the beginning of Spiritual warfare, of which much is revealed in the Book of Enoch 1. The Sons of God, the angels – were created to praise Him. But one sought power, to become more than God, and caused others to fall with him.  Enter in a time of deception going forth in all of the world, until the day of the Lord when Satan and all of his followers will be banished forever into a place that has NO light.
 
I do not praise the sun, nor worship the moon – but many people do. Even the waves of the ocean obey God and praise Him.  Why would anyone worship and give praise to the very things that God Himself created? Why bother? For clearly, these forms of matter are lowly and without power and authority over darkness.
 
Soon, on April 8, the moon will cover the sun. Who controls the moon and the sun? Certainly not man, although I have no doubt the elite would like to be able to. To those that follow Satan…well, even the Prince of Darkness cannot control the sun and the  moon. How much better for all of mankind to give praise to the One and the Only, the Father of the universe, the heavens, oceans, and Creator of each and every human being...whether you know Him or not. He created YOU. Do you know the most powerful force in the entire universe? God. For He alone is worthy of our praise. I praise Him, along with the sun, moon, oceans and heavens.