I am thankful for so many things in my life.
I am thankful for my wonderful friends that will grab a coffee on a moments notice just because.
I am thankful for my job and the fun people I get to work with.
I am thankful for my family and the fun we have together.
I am thankful for my (baby) broski and our adventures and hilarious conversations.
I am thankful for my big sister and the hilarious relationship we have.
I am thankful for my older brother and his willingness to talk about whatever is on my mind.
I am thankful for my dad who is always willing to share his wisdom on everything.
I am thankful for my mom and the amazing help and encouragement she is.
I am thankful for my best friend and how she always knows how to cheer me up, make me laugh, make me cry, or a combination of the three.
I am thankful for my church and the wonderful blessing it is to be surrounded by so many wonderful, loving, encouraging people.
I am thankful for my World Race squad and the wonderful blessing and source of hilarity they have been in my life already.
I am thankful for my wonderful Jesus that gave His life to save me.
I am thankful for my God’s mercies that are new every morning.
I am thankful for my relationship with God and how He works in me daily.
I am thankful for everyone and everything in my life.
Gratitude is something I think our society has somewhat forgotten. Any links from Pinterest boasting about “How to Make You a Happier/Better/More Beautiful/etc. Person” always include a section on gratitude, because not only can it affect other people, but it has a lasting impression on your heart. When beginning the day with gratitude, your first thought of the day can be “I am so thankful that I have ______” as opposed to the way most people start their day “I wish I had ______.” This even applies to more than material things. Sure, it would be nice to have the new phone or electronic you want, but what is so wrong with the phone you have now? Be thankful for the time in the morning you have to get ready. Sure, it is always nice to get more sleep or more time in the morning or in the day to get things done. But what about the time you did have?
Today, this was a hard thing for me until I sat down to write this post. This morning I got up early to go to my study group before class. I didn’t sleep well, was running late, and was in a bad mood. I went to coffee with a friend, and I wished there was more time to talk about things, but we were both busy and didn’t have tons of time. I drove around for a little while looking at some of the beautiful, big houses in the neighborhood where the coffee shop was and comparing them to the small house I live in now and wishing we had a bigger, prettier house. I have had a terrible headache all day and was not productive this afternoon like I hoped to be. I am scheduled to go to work, but I’m called in later, which means I will be making less money.
But there is another way to look at things.
This morning I was able to meet with a few of my classmates that care enough about our final project to come to class early and figure it out, and we had a few laughs too. I have a comfortable bed, and got more sleep last night than my mom did. I was running late to a college class I have the privilege to attend. I got to spend almost two hours talking with one of my closest friends and it was a wonderful time to catch up. I live in a house that is a great size for my family and has no major problems, and I am thankful for it. Because of my headache this afternoon, I was reminded again how much my brother and mom care about me as they continually offered to get me whatever would help me feel better. I am not going into work as early as I planned, but that gives me additional time to write this post and spend time with God.
It is really easy to have a negative mindset in the world we are living in. Look at everything that is going wrong. The news will always report on a shooting here or disaster there. I am thankful that everyone I have talked to has been supportive of this trip. I know some of my fellow squad mates that have not had that blessing, and many people around them think it is not the best idea for their life.
But God is the source of our joy. The Bible commands us again and again to be thankful.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:15 – Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 4:2 – Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Philippians 4:16 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
These are only four verses of the dozens that are in the Bible, and this all the more proves that thankfulness is not only something that is good for us in dealing with each other, but also in dealing with God, and something that we are commanded to do. I am going to challenge all you who are reading this to do something. For the next week, come up with three things you are thankful for right after you wake up. Even just think about them when driving to work or school in the morning. Contemplate while in the shower or brushing your teeth. Three different things every day. If you are thankful for a certain person, tell them. If you are thankful for something that someone did for you, make sure they know what it meant to you. Not only with this lighten your heart and give you an attitude of thankfulness, but it will inspire others to do the same. I will be doing this for the next week, I challenge you to do the same.
From the love of my own comfort,
From the fear of having nothing,
From a life of worldly passions,
Deliver me, Oh God
From a need to be understood,
From a need to be accepted,
From a fear of being lonely,
Deliver me, Oh God
Deliver me, Oh God
I shall not want,
I shall not want.
When I taste your goodness,
I shall not want.
When I taste your goodness,
I shall not want.
From the fear of serving others,
From the fear of death or trial,
From the fear of humility,
Deliver me, Oh God,
Deliver me, Oh God.
I shall not want,
I shall not want.
When I taste your goodness,
I shall not want.
No, I shall not want,
No, I shall not want.
When I taste your goodness,
I shall not want.
When I taste your goodness,
I shall not want.
I shall not want.
I shall not want.
~ Audrey Assad, I Shall Not Want ~
