Sometimes we need to do run a "thankfulness" test on our hearts. To score a 100 your heart would need to be functioning at the level that Paul instructs in our verse...thankful always for everything.
What would your score be today? 80%? 75%? Or would we waiver more around the 50% mark? One moment thankful, the other complaining. One day satisfied, the next day whining about something we don't have.
On this Saturday morning, sitting in my den, I'm reflecting on things that I want to thank God for.
The thing about it is, after you list the first item on my list, everything else is secondary. For once we have Jesus as our Savior, then His grace is sufficient to satisfy us. Once we understand that Christ suffered for our sins to give us eternal life, then whatever this life brings, we can be continually thankful that this life isn't THE life. Once we understand that we have been given a gift so totally undeserved by us, and yet given to us by a loving Father through the sacrifice of His loved Son, then we can start seeing this life through different eyes---eyes of children who look to their Father with nothing but hearts full of thankfulness and gratefulness for every provision that we receive each day of our lives here. The picture above portrays all of this beautifully and gives us the great verse from Psalms to remind us, "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever." That's the Father we have. He is good. He loves us always. We can thank Him for every good and perfect gift we are ever given.
Over the next few days, really listen to what is coming out of your mouth. Does it reflect a heart of thanks....always for everything?
What would your score be today? 80%? 75%? Or would we waiver more around the 50% mark? One moment thankful, the other complaining. One day satisfied, the next day whining about something we don't have.
On this Saturday morning, sitting in my den, I'm reflecting on things that I want to thank God for.
- First and foremost, I thank God for sending His Son, Jesus, my Savior, to live for me, to die for me and then to prove to me that death has been conquered through His resurrection.
- My wonderful husband who is always by my side, traveling through life with me. I thank God for bringing him to me at just the right moment in my life.
- Our children, grandchildren and great-grandchild. To be blessed with seeing your children grow into adulthood and to enjoy them as adults is a real gift. And then grandchildren...well everyone knows, they are the best!
- My mother, who still serves as one of the very best Christian examples in my life, and my Daddy, who went home to be with God almost 22 years ago. God gave me wonderful parents and I cannot thank Him enough for that.
- My sisters and Robert's siblings who we share such fun times with. Brothers and sisters are gifts that cannot be replaced by anyone else in our lives. God was so wise in establishing families where we can learn unconditional love.
- Good friends to share life with, who encourage me to grow in my faith, and who just make me laugh!
- My home - comfortable, warm, secure. It is where I am most comfortable and at peace.
The thing about it is, after you list the first item on my list, everything else is secondary. For once we have Jesus as our Savior, then His grace is sufficient to satisfy us. Once we understand that Christ suffered for our sins to give us eternal life, then whatever this life brings, we can be continually thankful that this life isn't THE life. Once we understand that we have been given a gift so totally undeserved by us, and yet given to us by a loving Father through the sacrifice of His loved Son, then we can start seeing this life through different eyes---eyes of children who look to their Father with nothing but hearts full of thankfulness and gratefulness for every provision that we receive each day of our lives here. The picture above portrays all of this beautifully and gives us the great verse from Psalms to remind us, "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever." That's the Father we have. He is good. He loves us always. We can thank Him for every good and perfect gift we are ever given.Over the next few days, really listen to what is coming out of your mouth. Does it reflect a heart of thanks....always for everything?
1 comment:
You have wonderful list. I feel I have a good list also. God is so good, He provides so much. I would have nothing if I didn't have Christ Jesus in my heart. This life has brought me many joys. I can't understand what joys there will be in Heaven. I still love: "God Is Able".
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