"Give thanks to the Lord for he is good..." - Ps. 136:1

"It is always possible to be thankful for what is given

rather than resentful over what is withheld - one attitude or

the other becomes a way of life."

Elisabeth Eliot

 

That is one of my most-often used quotes, but it bears repeating.  It reminds me of a sign seen by a driver in Canada as winter arrives in a cold and barren land:  CHOOSE YOUR RUT CAREFULLY BECAUSE YOU WILL BE IN IT FOR A LONG TIME.  This is the time of year to choose attitudes very wisely...the holidays present many opportunities for stress, overspending, anxiety and a complaining spirit.  I know you have already seen the Christmas aisles in Hobby Lobby and the countdown to Christmas.  I would like to be an inspiration to people at this time of year, not part of the problem.  Do not let anyone rob you of the joy of this most special time of year.

 

Listen to what Nancy DeMoss in CHOOSING GRATITUDE says a grateful person is:

 

1.  A grateful person is a humble person, while ingratitude reveals a proud heart.

2.  A grateful heart is God-centered and others-conscious, while an ungrateful person is self-centered and self-conscious.

3.  A grateful heart is a full heart, while an unthankful heart is an empty one.

4.  People with grateful hearts are easily contented, while ungrateful people are subject to bitterness and discontent.

5.  A grateful heart will be revealed and expressed by thankful words, while an unthankful heart will manifest itself in murmuring and complaining.

6.  Thankful people are refreshing, life-giving springs, while unthankful people pull others down with them into the stagnant pools of their selfish, demanding, unhappy ways.

 

Just saying...which of the above people do you want to be around?  A harder question:  which of the above people most describes you?  We think our grumbling hearts are hidden, but I'm afraid they are not.  Matthew 12:34 says: "...the mouth speaks what the heart is full of".  Is gratitude in my heart?  Then my mouth will speak it.  Gratitude and joy are kissing cousins...do people see that in you?

 

May your Happy Thanksgiving be one where you are truly grateful for the blessings - every blessing - your Father in Heaven has given you...and me.

 

For further study:  Psalm 100:4, 107:8, Isaiah 63:7, Habakkuk 3:16, 2 Cor. 9:15, Philippians 4:6, Colossians 2:6 3:16, 1 Thes. 5:18, 1 Timothy 4:4, Hebrews 12:28.

 

May you be blessed in your understanding of God's word.

 

Love,

Holly