A HEART OF THANKFULNESS

 

In everything give thanks; for this is the will

of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

 

A five-year-old girl was asked to say the blessing at Thanksgiving dinner. She began by thanking God for all her friends, naming them one by one. Then she thanked God for Mommy, Daddy, Brother, Sister, Grandma, Grandpa, and all her aunts and uncles. Finally, she gave thanks for the turkey, the dressing, the fruit salad, the cranberry sauce, the pies, the cakes. Then she paused. After a long silence, the young girl looked up at her mother and asked, "If I thank God for the broccoli, won't he know I'm lying?"

 

Have you ever felt that way? We know we're supposed to cultivate a heart of thankfulness. But let's be honest: there's a bunch of broccoli in our lives that is really hard to give thanks for - like right now, staying away from our friends and family for weeks.

 

Amazingly enough, by cultivating thankfulness for God's work in me as I try to learn the lessons of loss and difficult times, I have learned to be thankful during the trials I've experienced. I know that through them God has made me into the person I am today - a new and, hopefully, improved version, one full of much more grace and love.

 

Being thankful in every situation, even the one we find ourselves in right now - intentionally developing a heart of gratitude - is a way to increase our faith on a daily basis. And (broccoli and the Coronavirus notwithstanding) I guarantee it will keep us in a better mood.

 

Let us pray: Loving Father, thank you that every good and perfect gift comes from you. Thank you for the gift of life today. Help us to always cultivate an attitude of thankfulness and gratitude for your constant presence with us. Amen.

 

     Pastor Ruth