A Season of Gratitude
We’re already entering the rush of this crazy Christmas season and like a whirlwind we’ve blown past the official day where we are supposed to be grateful for all of our blessings.
Have you ever thought about the meaning of the word ‘gratitude’? I mean, really thought about it. The dictionary says gratitude is the quality of being grateful or thankful. To be grateful is to be warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received.
As I look at the definition, my mind begins to wander, thinking of kindness and blessings I have received lately. And I am convicted, knowing that, in many of those cases, I have neglected showing appreciation. Be assured, I am appreciative, I just race through life too quickly to slow down, reflect, and show my gratitude and appreciation to others.
So I began my gratitude list:
1) I am thankful for my family, even when they are difficult and don’t do things the way I think they should. I am grateful they are uniquely gifted, and they make me look outside myself to see the beauty present in all people.
2) I am grateful for great conversations and relationships with friends. God created us to live in community, and my community of friends is outstanding. I never take for granted that I can sometimes be difficult to get along with, but real friends press through, love me anyway, and help me grow to be more like Christ.
3) I am grateful for my job. First, that I have one, as I know many who are searching for employment. I am also grateful that God has placed me with people who are of like mind in the major issues of faith and life. Even in the work relationships where we might not always see eye-to-eye, God is using us to sharpen one another “as iron sharpens iron”.
I could go on with my gratitude list, but I think you get the point. If we just pause and take look around, we are bound see the kindness, grace, and benefits given us by a good and loving God. Sometimes, we don’t yet recognize them, because God’s grace is manifest in the form of adversity and loss. However, when we view difficult times through God’s lens, we can see that He is preparing us to live with Him… for eternity… in Heaven.
As we roll headlong into this season of thankfulness, beyond just the “day of Thanksgiving”, give some thought to what belongs on your gratitude list. Scripture is full of admonitions to be thankful. We are to begin by giving thanks to the Lord, for without Him, we are nothing. Give thanks for all things, not just what we perceive to be good in this moment. Start your own gratitude list. Then, as is appropriate, jot a note and tell others why you are grateful God has put you in each other’s life.
Scripture readings for reflection:
1 Chronicles 16:7-37, Psalm 7:17, Psalm 28:6-8, Psalm 30:1-12, Psalm 100:1-5, Psalm 107:1, Psalm 136:1-26, 2 Corinthians 9:13-15, Philippians 4:6-8, Colossians 2:6-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18