Grateful

I subscribe to a magazine called “Just Between Us”. The tag line reads, “For Women with a Heart for Ministry”.

I read an article from the Winter 2007 issue recently.
Author: Joyce Wallace
Scripture References:
Psa 30: 11-12; 1 Thess 5:16-18; Psa 106:1; Rom 5:3-4; Rom 8:18-19; Rev. 7:17; 2 Cor 4:17; Jonah 2:9

The article was entitled, “habits of the GRATEFUL”

With excitement of the New Year still fresh, I have pondered what I will do in 2008 to be all the Lord has called me to be. Although I have been “churched” all of my life, I realize that I fall short of what the Lord has called me to be consistent in.

The article starts with an awesome quote from poet Celia Thaxter, “There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart.” The bible teaches “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”. 1 Thess 5:16

Really, everything? In our daily lives it seems increasingly hard to “give thanks” in everything. That would mean, disregarding my worldly expectations, disappointments, afflictions, and every other thing that life deals me that would not ordinarily warrant a sincere grateful heart. Getting past this is exactly what Paul means when he writes in Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us”. Our focus needs to change to understand that our gratefulness is in a God who never forsakes us, never leaves us and has specific promises for us. “For I know the plans I have for you..” Jer 29:11

Once we receive this in our spirits we can begin to consistently incorporate gratefulness in our everyday lives. The writer offers these simple habits:

Say Thank You
Pass Gratitude On
Celebrate God’s Bounty
Be Generous
Be Honest about your Sorrows and Thank God for who He is
Read the Psalms

As the Lord would have it, BEFORE I read this article, He had led me to purchase several boxes of “Thank You” notes to share with all the people who have through the years sowed positively in to my life. I shared with a new sister in Christ recently, there is no such thing as a coincidence. I believe in a Godincident and of course this article has truly been that!

My thank yous are not quite ready to be mailed but I really feel good about the Lord’s leading in my life to express a sentiment that is SO long overdue.