Living a Life of Thankfulness

 

LIVING A LIFE OF THANKFULNESS!

What are you in the habit of focusing on during the month of November? Do you tend to be the person who thinks about all the things you don’t have? Are you the one who takes inventory of all your blessings and wonders, “How could life be any more full?” Or do you find yourself caught in the in between space of needing less or wanting more? As we take inventory of our lives this Thanksgiving season, may our attitude be one of gratitude. It is so important that we spend time each day reflecting on those things, places, experiences and people which fill us with gratitude. Even when times are tough and the financial stress of our current economy weighs us down, there is so much for which we can express our thankfulness!

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

True gratitude is about being thankful for what you do have rather than being upset about what you don’t have. Gratitude is an essential ingredient on the journey to living the abundant life Jesus promises in John 10:10. Gratitude is most beautifully seen in our response to the free gift of God, his son Jesus. And finally, expressing gratitude has shown a grateful heart, a thankful heart can actually make a person more healthier, joyful and content.

Last year, if you recall, we processed through a 25-day gratitude calendar in which every day we were directed to focus on specific blessings in our lives and give thanks to God. By the way, if you would like to do this again feel free to send me a message and I can hook you up. This year I want to challenge you to do some of your own research as we once again set off on a journey to experience gratitude and a life of thankfulness. I have a friend who has inspired me this year with quotes of gratitude. These famous or not so famous words have encouraged me to have a more positive perspective of gratitude. You see, I find that when I read or hear these thoughts, my mind is reset toward gratitude and more rooted in thankfulness.

I want to ask you to find quotes on gratitude and thankfulness. Perhaps you find one for each week or even each day. Let me help you get a head start. It is the great Shawnee Chief Tecumseh who said, “When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.” Or how about theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “In ordinary life, we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.”

Reflect on these wise and preserved words. Allow them to wash over you and fill you with thankfulness. Then share the quotes you find with others on your Facebook page or social media formats. Together, let’s see if we can influence and change other peoples perspectives as well. Our sermon series this month will focus on “Gratitude—Living a Life of Thankfulness.” I will share some scripture and quotes to inspire you. It is my hope that we will have a more healthy, sustainable, and fruitful experience of Thanksgiving this year.

Remember… “With God, All Things Are Possible!”