Tag: <span>gratitude</span>

Give Thanks
Published January 20, 2023

Give Thanks

Some things just weren’t made to coexist.  Long-tailed cats and rocking chairs? Bulls in a china shop? Not a good idea. Blessings and bitterness? That mixture doesn’t go over well with God. Combine heavenly kindness with earthly ingratitude and expect a sour concoction. Perhaps you’ve sampled it. Gratitude doesn’t come naturally. Self-pity does. Bellyaches do. Grumbles and mumbles–no one has to remind us to offer them. Yet they don’t mix well with the kindness we’ve been given.

Gratitude gets us through the hard stuff. 

To reflect on your blessings is to rehearse God’s accomplishments. To rehearse His accomplishments is to discover His heart. Gratitude always leaves us looking at God and away from dread. So practice gratitude!  As Ephesians 5:20 puts it,

“Give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

By Max Lucado
From: You’ll Get Through This
Used by permission

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Further Reading

•  The Attitude of Gratitude  by John Grant

•  Attitude of Gratitude by Helen Lescheid

•  Salvation Explained

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thoughts by Max Lucado Thoughts by Men

A Thought about Gratitude
Published January 20, 2023

A Thought about Gratitude

“Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?’” Luke  17:17- 18

“Gratitude recognizes that a gift has been given, a favor has been done by someone. There is a gift and a giver. But there is more. Gratitude also calls for a response to that gift. We thank the giver with an expression of appreciation — a handshake, a hug, a note. A gesture of gratitude completes the exchange, closes the circle, lets the love flow back to the giver.” — Don Postema, Space for God.

I needed to read that quote. It was an “ah-ha” moment for me — it made so much sense. Many gifts I have given in the past have left me with a sense of emptiness because I never heard back if the gift was appreciated or not.  The circle was not closed — I didn’t feel love flow back from the recipient of my gift.

But there have also been so many times when I have not taken the time to thank the giver of a gift for me. Those who gave me a gift would have likewise felt empty because I didn’t take the time to let them know the gift was appreciated.

How often do we take all the blessings and gifts from the Lord for granted — we almost feel entitled to them. Far too many times.

You may relate to this thought. I encourage you to say this prayer with me.

Lord, thank You, for You are the giver of so many beautiful gifts. I thank You for them all.  Enable me to remember to thank You and thank others when they give a gift of kindness. Cause me to express my gratitude. Let the circle of love close — let love flow back to the giver. Amen.

By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

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Further Reading

•   Thanksgiving for What God Has Done

•   The Generosity Habit

•  Salvation Explained

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Thoughts by All thoughts by Katherine Kehler Thoughts by Women