Happy Monday and almost December!
Another year is almost gone… I was sitting here thinking about Thanksgiving and the Christmas season. I absolutely love these two holidays. It’s the family, food, decorations and the general festive spirit that surrounds most of us.
We, of course, know that Thanksgiving is meant for giving thanks. I think it’s safe to say that the people reading this know Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior. I like to think that the thanksgiving continues on beyond the official day. I am SO thankful that God loved us enough to send us a Savior, whether we deserved it or not!
I am guilty, on occasion, of the “woe is me” syndrome. My body hurts, the work never ends, yada, yada, yada. Seriously? All I have to do is look around me to be reminded of how thankful I should be! No matter what, there is almost always someone who is worse off. We have adults and children on the streets. No food, no shelter and no hope. We have veterans who are so traumatized by their experiences that they are on the streets with no job, no food, no shelter and no hope.
“In the US, nearly 30,000 people die by suicide each year, and the rate of attempted suicide is much higher—so much so that there is an estimated one attempted suicide per minute. Worldwide, suicide claims more deaths than accidents, homicides, and war combined. And many cases of suicide, particularly in the elderly, go completely undetected and unaccounted.” Psychology Today
It is really easy to say “we can’t save them all”. But what if we save, or even just help, one? What if, just by showing them someone cares, we restore hope? What if, by having hope restored, they can open their hearts to the salvation of Jesus Christ and they are saved eternally?
Maybe in our gratitude, we can pass on a kind word, a cup of coffee, a meal or a hug and leave a blessing with someone who desperately needed one at that particular time. It has been my experience that no matter what we can give, it is returned in multiples. Thank you, Lord!
Pray Unceasingly!!
In His light,
Lois
The Gratitude Boost
The Daniel Plan
Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. —Philippians 1:3 NLT
Paul’s thankfulness for his friends in Philippi is an excellent example for us to follow.
Gratefulness changes our mindset to see what’s good about others.
What might happen in your relationships if you thanked God for your family members when you woke up every morning, if you thanked God for your coworkers when you walked in the front door, if you thanked him for your friends and your neighbors as you drive home?
Don’t think first of what you want to get from them; think of what God is giving you through them already. Even people you aren’t naturally drawn to offer unexpected gifts.
Studies show that the more grateful you are, the happier you are. Positive thoughts about people will actually release beneficial chemicals in your brain. And your relationships will go much better if you go into them with an attitude of gratitude.