Thankfulness was a virtue my parents stressed in their parenting. They expected my siblings and I to express our gratitude to others. We were taught to say “Thank
you,” at appropriate times, write thank you cards for gifts, and remember to pray our
thanks to God. I remember hearing over and over the story of the ten lepers Jesus healed. The lesson was, that we should be like the one who expressed his thanks, not like the other nine.
The scriptures tell us about a time when ten lepers called out for mercy from
Jesus. They needed healing from the disease, that not only debilitated their bodies, but also took away their families, jobs, reputations, and everything that made them
worthwhile as people. Lepers were sent away from society to die. Their only hope was to be healed by God. When Jesus sent the ten to see the priests, they seemed hurried away before they even looked for the signs of healing. When they did see the evidence of being disease free, I am sure they all were very happy and thankful. We do not know for certain, but it is possible that all ten shouted praise to God. Only one, however, returned to thank Jesus personally.
I wonder if God still gets only one out of ten of His children coming back to
express their gratitude. Do I fall into those statistics in regards to giving a personal thank you for only ten percent of my blessings? Certainly, some blessings go unnoticed by me. Every day He moves on my behalf without my asking. Sometimes I may not see His hand directing the course of events. Even so, it seems to me that it might be wise to thank God for all I don’t see as well as for all the things I do see.
Dear Heavenly Father, You have been so very kind to me. You give me much
more than I ever ask. Your heart is big with generosity. Please forgive me for not
recognizing all Your gifts. Heal my blindness. Open my eyes to see You in my every day.
Thank You for it all.
Showing posts with label gratitude. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gratitude. Show all posts
Monday, November 19, 2012
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Thanksgiving Freedoms
Many years ago my husband kindly sat me down and gently reprimanded me. I had been complaining about all sorts of things and he lovingly pointed out that I was ungrateful. My complaints were not about him, mind you, but about the things I had or didn't have. I was taken by surprise, but knew that it was true and a change was made in my heart.
This year I have taken the dare to write down 1000 gifts and be thankful for them. Ann Voskamp, in her writings, has revealed the truth about thanksgiving and living minute to minute with a grateful heart. A new change is beginning in me and every day I see things and people more and more as gifts. My heart is full of gratitude for the gift of Ann and her words that seem so timely right now.
Yesterday, I read one of her blogs that listed 6 Reasons Why to Teach Kids to be Grateful the research can only support Scriptural Truth. (Froh, Sefick, Emmons, 2008) I was immediately aware that this is not only truth for children but for everyone. Here is what I read and how I see it work in my life.
1. Better Attitudes - Thanksgiving grows a positive attitude even in the hard soil of challenges, disappointments, or failure.
2. Better Achieve Personal Goals - The discipline of writing down our gifts spills over into life goals and the stream of grateful words becomes a river of life change.
3. Closer Relationships, Greater Happiness - We all need closer relationships and long for greater happiness. Seeing people through the lens of gratitude makes them a happy gift to us that gives joy to our days. People are lovelier and friendlier when we are thankful for their presence in our lives. Being surrounded by a beautiful crowd of people makes us smile, doesn't it?
4. Better Grades - Now it may seem that we as adults are not graded, but we are evaluated by many in our lives. The authority in our lives grade us on many things. Employers evaluate our work, banks and credit card companies watch our performance with money and treat us accordingly. Children watch us closely too.
5. Greater Energy, Attentiveness, Enthusiasm - The start of writing down gifts is like wading in mud, but soon the mud becomes a trickle and then a stream and a river flowing out into the ocean of gifts awaiting for our pleasure and filling our grateful hearts.
6 Greater Sensitivity - Gratitude opens our eyes to the world around us. We see clearly the needs of others and our hands are ready to reach out and help because we know it, too, will be a gift.
Finally the article ends with the consequence of not practicing gratitude. The young people studied showed less satisfaction with their lives. They were more aggressive and took more risks and the list went on. Similarly we adults live in a world of our making, good or bad, depending on our attitude of gratitude.
Today is July 4th and the U.S.A. is celebrating our independence and the blessings of our country. We are a nation that complains way too much, maybe because we have the freedom to do so. I wonder what changes we would see if we became a nation of gratitude? I think it would truly set us free!
Our Father in heaven, You are the author of freedom. You are the Giver of Good gifts! Forgive us for our murmuring and complaining. We fail to see Your good hand in so many things, but You are there working out the good for us. Thank You for my country, Lord. I am blessed to live here by Your choice. Thank You for all of the good people that live with us here. Help us to see the good and work hard to change the bad. Bless America, Father! Bless her with a revolution of thanksgiving!
This year I have taken the dare to write down 1000 gifts and be thankful for them. Ann Voskamp, in her writings, has revealed the truth about thanksgiving and living minute to minute with a grateful heart. A new change is beginning in me and every day I see things and people more and more as gifts. My heart is full of gratitude for the gift of Ann and her words that seem so timely right now.
Yesterday, I read one of her blogs that listed 6 Reasons Why to Teach Kids to be Grateful the research can only support Scriptural Truth. (Froh, Sefick, Emmons, 2008) I was immediately aware that this is not only truth for children but for everyone. Here is what I read and how I see it work in my life.
1. Better Attitudes - Thanksgiving grows a positive attitude even in the hard soil of challenges, disappointments, or failure.
2. Better Achieve Personal Goals - The discipline of writing down our gifts spills over into life goals and the stream of grateful words becomes a river of life change.
3. Closer Relationships, Greater Happiness - We all need closer relationships and long for greater happiness. Seeing people through the lens of gratitude makes them a happy gift to us that gives joy to our days. People are lovelier and friendlier when we are thankful for their presence in our lives. Being surrounded by a beautiful crowd of people makes us smile, doesn't it?
4. Better Grades - Now it may seem that we as adults are not graded, but we are evaluated by many in our lives. The authority in our lives grade us on many things. Employers evaluate our work, banks and credit card companies watch our performance with money and treat us accordingly. Children watch us closely too.
5. Greater Energy, Attentiveness, Enthusiasm - The start of writing down gifts is like wading in mud, but soon the mud becomes a trickle and then a stream and a river flowing out into the ocean of gifts awaiting for our pleasure and filling our grateful hearts.
6 Greater Sensitivity - Gratitude opens our eyes to the world around us. We see clearly the needs of others and our hands are ready to reach out and help because we know it, too, will be a gift.
Finally the article ends with the consequence of not practicing gratitude. The young people studied showed less satisfaction with their lives. They were more aggressive and took more risks and the list went on. Similarly we adults live in a world of our making, good or bad, depending on our attitude of gratitude.
Today is July 4th and the U.S.A. is celebrating our independence and the blessings of our country. We are a nation that complains way too much, maybe because we have the freedom to do so. I wonder what changes we would see if we became a nation of gratitude? I think it would truly set us free!
Our Father in heaven, You are the author of freedom. You are the Giver of Good gifts! Forgive us for our murmuring and complaining. We fail to see Your good hand in so many things, but You are there working out the good for us. Thank You for my country, Lord. I am blessed to live here by Your choice. Thank You for all of the good people that live with us here. Help us to see the good and work hard to change the bad. Bless America, Father! Bless her with a revolution of thanksgiving!
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
A Life of Thanksgiving
Every day I write down the things for which I am grateful. I think that is a very good start to hliving life with gratitude, but it seems just like putting a stamp or a P.S. on a letter or maybe even just a payment on a bill.
I am beginning to think that a few words of appreciation at the end of the day does not fill my life with thanksgiving. I want to get to the place where those few minutes at the end of my day, or the few whispers of "Thank You" during my busy moments begin to flood over and drown me in an attitude of gratefulness!
How do I get there? Well, the journal is making me aware of the blessings that surround me. It also keeps me looking for those precious moments. It is possible to go further. What if I decided to set aside definite times during the day when I stop and pray a prayer of thanks? Setting the timer and chosing to tell God how good He is right then could be a way to spread the attitude throughout the day.
Would it be worth the effort? I think so. He is worth it! Surely there can only be good in the giving of thanks!
Good and Holy God, You ARE worthy to be praised! In everything I should give You thanks! But I am only taking baby steps toward that full life flooding over with gratitude. Forgive me, Father, for the times I have walked away like the 9 lepers who forgot to say thanks. Thank You for turning me around and leading me to the place where my heart can be full of thanksgiving, living in the blessing, and overcome with joy! You are good. I want to see You in my whole life!
I am beginning to think that a few words of appreciation at the end of the day does not fill my life with thanksgiving. I want to get to the place where those few minutes at the end of my day, or the few whispers of "Thank You" during my busy moments begin to flood over and drown me in an attitude of gratefulness!
How do I get there? Well, the journal is making me aware of the blessings that surround me. It also keeps me looking for those precious moments. It is possible to go further. What if I decided to set aside definite times during the day when I stop and pray a prayer of thanks? Setting the timer and chosing to tell God how good He is right then could be a way to spread the attitude throughout the day.
Would it be worth the effort? I think so. He is worth it! Surely there can only be good in the giving of thanks!
Good and Holy God, You ARE worthy to be praised! In everything I should give You thanks! But I am only taking baby steps toward that full life flooding over with gratitude. Forgive me, Father, for the times I have walked away like the 9 lepers who forgot to say thanks. Thank You for turning me around and leading me to the place where my heart can be full of thanksgiving, living in the blessing, and overcome with joy! You are good. I want to see You in my whole life!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Proverbs 22
Proverbs 22:9 "Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor."
I grew up in a family of seven children. Dad worked hard in the steel mill, and he provided for us although we were not wealthy. There were times, however, that the mill would go on strike and we were barely scraping by. It never stopped my Mom and Dad from inviting a surprise guest to join us for meals. I am not proud of the fact that silently I hoped the guests would decline the invitation so we could have our share. I was angry when they accepted.
My selfishness centered in my myopic vision. I saw the less than abundant table for so many of us, and saw not enough for me. I was not concerned for my brothers and sisters, though I should have been. I was totally selfish and felt horrible that I was so.
It took many years for me to get my vision corrected. It happened slowly over time. I began to be thankful for what I did have instead of seeing how little I had. Thanksgiving was my corrective lens that gave me a clearer picture of my blessings. I received blessings so that I could bless others! Sharing is a greater blessing besides!
I can be honest in saying that I still sometimes hold back out of selfish fear that I won't have what I need, or is it want? I have learned that I am changing and my failures can be forgiven. I only need to keep my thanksgiving lenses on everyday and all day to make a difference in my blessings.
Father, You are generous and giving even when it hurts. You are wise to command that we give. My life has not always seen or followed Your wisdom. Forgive me! Thank You for blessing me with the tools to learn this lesson. Thank You for teaching me to give thanks for the big and small, for the easy and for the very difficult things that come into my life. It is thanksgiving to You that helps me trust You. Keep working on my heart, o Lord. Remind me to be thankful especially when I don't feel grateful.
I grew up in a family of seven children. Dad worked hard in the steel mill, and he provided for us although we were not wealthy. There were times, however, that the mill would go on strike and we were barely scraping by. It never stopped my Mom and Dad from inviting a surprise guest to join us for meals. I am not proud of the fact that silently I hoped the guests would decline the invitation so we could have our share. I was angry when they accepted.
My selfishness centered in my myopic vision. I saw the less than abundant table for so many of us, and saw not enough for me. I was not concerned for my brothers and sisters, though I should have been. I was totally selfish and felt horrible that I was so.
It took many years for me to get my vision corrected. It happened slowly over time. I began to be thankful for what I did have instead of seeing how little I had. Thanksgiving was my corrective lens that gave me a clearer picture of my blessings. I received blessings so that I could bless others! Sharing is a greater blessing besides!
I can be honest in saying that I still sometimes hold back out of selfish fear that I won't have what I need, or is it want? I have learned that I am changing and my failures can be forgiven. I only need to keep my thanksgiving lenses on everyday and all day to make a difference in my blessings.
Father, You are generous and giving even when it hurts. You are wise to command that we give. My life has not always seen or followed Your wisdom. Forgive me! Thank You for blessing me with the tools to learn this lesson. Thank You for teaching me to give thanks for the big and small, for the easy and for the very difficult things that come into my life. It is thanksgiving to You that helps me trust You. Keep working on my heart, o Lord. Remind me to be thankful especially when I don't feel grateful.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Gratitude
How long is your list? My list of things for which I am thankful is very long! I am a blessed woman. When I take time to reflect on all that is good in my life, I realize that God has poured out a flood of goodness over me. I am thankful!
My gratitude extends from the simple act of breathing and experiencing this marvelous world through my senses, to the enormous gift of salvation through my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
What more can I say but Thanks, Father God, for all that YOU have given me through Your generous heart. You are good and Your goodness fills my life! You are my only hope and my heart longs for You! I know that there are times when I do not see Your blessing and fail to thank you. I am glad to have a day of Thanksgiving for remembering all those ordinary days with everyday blessings that You have bestowed on me. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You. My heart is open to receive all You have for me. Let my hands be willing to reach out to others ready to give what I have received! I want to be like my son-in-law has said: Happy in thanks and giving! (Thanks Cliff.)
My gratitude extends from the simple act of breathing and experiencing this marvelous world through my senses, to the enormous gift of salvation through my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
What more can I say but Thanks, Father God, for all that YOU have given me through Your generous heart. You are good and Your goodness fills my life! You are my only hope and my heart longs for You! I know that there are times when I do not see Your blessing and fail to thank you. I am glad to have a day of Thanksgiving for remembering all those ordinary days with everyday blessings that You have bestowed on me. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You. My heart is open to receive all You have for me. Let my hands be willing to reach out to others ready to give what I have received! I want to be like my son-in-law has said: Happy in thanks and giving! (Thanks Cliff.)
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Surgery
I had every intention of blogging when I got home last night from the hospital (Patricks' surgery), but I was very tired. Though I did send out some emails and posted Patricks' news on FB, I quickly decided that I'd wait to blog.
Surgery is a blessing for which I am thankful! Surgery is needed when a decision is made that we can no longer live with things as they are. This includes the emotional and spiritual surgeries that we undergo throughout our lives. Cutting ourselves off from activities or people that prove to be detrimental to us is a surgical exercise we do under the supervision of our God, the Supreme Surgeon!
I am grateful for Patricks' surgical team. They studied many years and have done everything humanly possible to extend Patricks' healthy and active lifestyle. In the same way, I am filled with gratitude to God, my surgeon, who cares for me when I need soul surgery. He prepares me and then with my consent, removes the offending action or bond with the wrong sort of person, and then surrounds me with rehabilitating chances to change. It is all for my good. It is the only way, sometimes, that I can move on to a healthier and more productive life in Christ.
Supreme Surgeon, Healer of all my diseases and Savior of my soul, You are to be praised! I give my praise and thanksgiving to You alone for the times of successful surgeries in my life! I need Your forgiveness for the times in my life when I choose not to let You help me and refuse the surgery needed. Please continue to open my eyes and hound me with Your truth that brings me to my knees. It is there where I will submit my will into Your loving hands and allow Your two edged sword pierce my soul and separate the good from the bad. I am hear today to listen.
Surgery is a blessing for which I am thankful! Surgery is needed when a decision is made that we can no longer live with things as they are. This includes the emotional and spiritual surgeries that we undergo throughout our lives. Cutting ourselves off from activities or people that prove to be detrimental to us is a surgical exercise we do under the supervision of our God, the Supreme Surgeon!
I am grateful for Patricks' surgical team. They studied many years and have done everything humanly possible to extend Patricks' healthy and active lifestyle. In the same way, I am filled with gratitude to God, my surgeon, who cares for me when I need soul surgery. He prepares me and then with my consent, removes the offending action or bond with the wrong sort of person, and then surrounds me with rehabilitating chances to change. It is all for my good. It is the only way, sometimes, that I can move on to a healthier and more productive life in Christ.
Supreme Surgeon, Healer of all my diseases and Savior of my soul, You are to be praised! I give my praise and thanksgiving to You alone for the times of successful surgeries in my life! I need Your forgiveness for the times in my life when I choose not to let You help me and refuse the surgery needed. Please continue to open my eyes and hound me with Your truth that brings me to my knees. It is there where I will submit my will into Your loving hands and allow Your two edged sword pierce my soul and separate the good from the bad. I am hear today to listen.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Gratitude
It is always time for gratitude!
Thanksgiving should be with us year round. Our hearts should overflow with the abundance of gratefulness for all God has given us. It is truly a terrible thing to forget the good we have when only some things in our lives are going wrong.
How quickly we forget to thank God for the lessons learned from past experiences, good or bad. In all that is given to us in our lives we can find a blessing. Yes, it may take some distance or a length of time, but because God is good all the time certainly we can see His help, His teaching, His love, His protection, His presence, or just HIM.
It is when we clothe our minds and hearts with gratitude that we are finally able to experience love. We can be loved and give love more fully!
God, You are love! You are all good! You have made Yourself known to us. I praise You today and always for everything that happens in my life. Open my eyes to see the blessings I have each day. Fill my heart with gratitude. I choose to see all my life from Your point of view so that I will know the good outweighs the bad! Thank You!
Thanksgiving should be with us year round. Our hearts should overflow with the abundance of gratefulness for all God has given us. It is truly a terrible thing to forget the good we have when only some things in our lives are going wrong.
How quickly we forget to thank God for the lessons learned from past experiences, good or bad. In all that is given to us in our lives we can find a blessing. Yes, it may take some distance or a length of time, but because God is good all the time certainly we can see His help, His teaching, His love, His protection, His presence, or just HIM.
It is when we clothe our minds and hearts with gratitude that we are finally able to experience love. We can be loved and give love more fully!
God, You are love! You are all good! You have made Yourself known to us. I praise You today and always for everything that happens in my life. Open my eyes to see the blessings I have each day. Fill my heart with gratitude. I choose to see all my life from Your point of view so that I will know the good outweighs the bad! Thank You!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thanksgiving
I find myself complaining alot these days. It seems to me that evil is running rampant and there is always something happening to family and friends that just does not seem right. Celebrating a day of Thanksgiving is a good reminder that there is much good that surrounds us. There is good to be seen in every circumstance.
Giving thanks for the good we have should be done on a regular basis, and though I complain more than I used to, I also give thanks to God more often during my day. When I see evil or experience hardship, I turn to God for help and He is always ready to guide, comfort and deliver me. For all of His work in my life I am Thankful!
Gratitude floods my being as I remember my one and only Gods' kindness and generous love, mercy and grace towards me. Life, love, beauty, joy, hope, and so much more! He gives and I am filled
I pray you enjoy a fullness of gratitude in your hearts. May your thankful hearts overflow to others in generosity.
Giving thanks for the good we have should be done on a regular basis, and though I complain more than I used to, I also give thanks to God more often during my day. When I see evil or experience hardship, I turn to God for help and He is always ready to guide, comfort and deliver me. For all of His work in my life I am Thankful!
Gratitude floods my being as I remember my one and only Gods' kindness and generous love, mercy and grace towards me. Life, love, beauty, joy, hope, and so much more! He gives and I am filled
I pray you enjoy a fullness of gratitude in your hearts. May your thankful hearts overflow to others in generosity.
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