Praise the Lord, I tell myself, and never forget the good things he does for me. (Psalm 103:2)

The psalms contain exquisite words of praise and I read them regularly. They are meant to acknowledge attributes or characteristics of God and to lift our perspective from the earthly to the spiritual.

I confess, though, that when I attempt to praise God as the psalmists did, I feel like a plagiarist, as if I’m stealing another’s words. When I try to praise God as contemporary preachers, speakers, or vocalists do so beautifully I am left feeling like a phony. Yet I know that my God is worthy to be praised and I want to offer what the early Jewish Christians called a sacrifice of praise.

For those of you who face a similar hurdle, I offer this. Years ago, I made a small, inferior photocopy of an artist’s rendition of Jesus. The colors have faded over time and the cardstock is dog-eared, but the image has a magnetic quality and gazing into the eyes of Jesus helps me to praise. My words are always a variation of this...

Jesus, there is so much about you that I love and admire. When you were here on earth, you were kind, compassionate, and merciful. I think often about a particular man whose sight you restored. “What do you want?” you asked him. “I want to see,” he answered, and see he did.

You were an exceptional teacher and I love your way with words, especially in the parables. The stories are memorable and colorful and rich with truth. My words fail, though, to express how much I admire your determination to carry out your mission to do the Father’s will. You were bold and courageous, yet you didn’t shut out those close to you when you were grieving, like the night in Gethsemane just before you were arrested. 

I’m trying to be more like you. I have a long way to go, but the Holy Spirit is a patient, merciful teacher.