Thankfulness

Thankfulness has been on my mind a lot these days.

It's easy to think about being thankful during the month of November, when the focus centers around a holiday of Thanksgiving.
It's also easy to have a grateful heart when everything around me is going well.

Several mornings ago, I came across something I had written in my Bible last summer regarding thankfulness:

  "Learn the art of giving thanks in all circumstances. Practice the discipline of thankfulness. A grateful attitude is one of the most effective ways to open the door of communication between me & God. Thankfulness is built on trust and awakens in me an awareness of a multitude of blessings that God has poured out for me and continues to give. It also cushions the impact of trials and hurts when they come my way."  ~7/11 (See: I Thess 5:18)

I remember when Ed was laid off from his job for 15 months - trying to intentionally look for ways to be thankful during that difficult time. It was easier to complain and feel sorry for ourselves. But, gradually, as I found things to thank God for ( and there is always something), my heart began to change. Even being grateful for difficulties or hardships will bring about a change in our attitudes as we watch God pour out His blessings.

And those blessings come in multitudes.

We just have to make sure we're watching for them, waiting for them, and not dismiss them as coincidences or something we've done.

Thankfulness has been a hard discipline for me to learn (and I'm still working on it). I just appreciate God's patience with me and all He is teaching me.

Comments

[Fenrick James]

Firstly, I love the format of your blog and your picture is beautiful. I relate to your feeling of thankfulness. When I think about how many wonderful things God has done and is done, I am thankful. My goal is to do more to advance His kingdom. Thanks for the inspiration.