++ "If a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely to be thankful
for what he's going to get." ~ Frank A. Clark
++ "The most important thing in life
is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in." ~ Morrie Schwartz
++ "Everything
we do should be a result of our gratitude for what God has done for us." ~ Lauryn
Hill
++ The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures
forever. ~ Psalm 138:8
++ Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of
God in Christ Jesus for you. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18
++ Rejoice in the Lord always;
again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. Philippians
4:4-
We have so much to be thankful for. Our lives are filled generously with amazing
gifts: family, home, work, food, drink, leisure time activities along with all the
other things that go into our daily life. Even as wonderful as these gifts are to
us, God, who provides for these things, has given us an even greater gift: Himself.
God loves us and desires that we be faithful to Him as He is faithful to us. God
loves us so much He revealed Himself to us giving us His Word. God cares for us so
much He sent His Son to show us how to live in faith trusting the Holy Spirit to
guide us in the paths of righteousness. God tends to us as He listens carefully for
and to our prayers when we offer them in His name. God longs for us to be His children
serving Him with gratefulness. In His grace He forgives us our sins when we confess
them to Him. Indeed, we have so much to be grateful for. The Roman philosopher Cicero
was on the right track when he said, "Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues,
but the parent of all others." The Apostle Paul amplified this in his letter to the
Thessalonians where he wrote "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's
will for you in Christ Jesus." Psalms 136:1 tells us "Give thanks to the Lord, for
He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever." Then for the next 25 verses
the psalmist repeats that God's love endures forever. With every breath the psalmist
thanks God for His enduring endearing unending grace of loving kindness to us, His
children. That should inspire us to be continually rejoicing as we daily receive
God's gift of love and grace to us. Recent studies on our personalities show that
grateful people are happier and more satisfied with their lives and social relationships.
They are more forgiving and supportive than those who were ungrateful. Grateful people
are less depressed, stressed, envious, and anxious. Jesus showed us how to live a
loving grateful life. We are encouraged to follow His example to the extent that
we learn to give out love as well as letting others love us. Maybe we need to incorporate
into our daily goings and comings the Celtic walking prayer: "I on Your path, O God.
You, O God, on my way." With the love of God surrounding us, we discover that no
matter what we encounter we can sing the old hymn, "Be not dismayed what e'er betide,
God will take care of you; beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of
you. God will take care of you, through every day, o're all the way; He will take
care of you, God will take care of you." For that we can be grateful and know within
our heart that God's love endures forever. Go; share the good news helping someone
know they are loved. God will be smiling.
Keep smiling.
Dr. Paul