Friday, November 18, 2011

Food for Thought Friday: Are you THANKFUL?

foodforthoughtfriday

With Thanksgiving approaching, thankfulness tends to be at the forefront of our thoughts.  We begin thinking about all of life’s blessings, do cute little “I’m thankful for…” activities with our kids, and share what we’re thankful for at the Thanksgiving dinner table with our families.

Thankfulness should be more than an attitude at Thanksgiving; it should be a lifestyle. I’ve seen many people post the following quote lately and it has sparked a thought in my head.

“What if all you woke up with today is what you thanked God for yesterday?”

That might be a scary thought for some of us. 

I know we get busy, but I know I am often guilty in my own prayer life of using the Lord as a rescue rope.  I know that I for one need work on being thankful ALL the time, not just this time of year. We have SO much to be thankful for- our faith, our families, our health, provision of our basic needs, a great country to live in, freedom…oh, the list goes on and on.

When we start truly being THANKFUL, it can change our perspective and attitude to help us not sweat the small stuff that tends to overwhelm us.  SO many of the issues we seem struggle with become insignificant when we realize how much we have to be thankful for in our lives.  Thankful people are kinder, more generous, more gracious, less materialistic, less jealous & envious, and less greedy. 

We can even start in a small way.  Begin each prayer by telling God at least three things for which you are thankful.  Say “thank you” often.  (It never gets old hearing those two little words, right?)  When is the last time you told your hubby “thank you” for taking out the trash, or your parents “thank you” for all they did for you as a child.  As we are all so stretched these days, I think most people feel underappreciated.  A nice “thank you so much” could really bless somebody today.

Of course we are all thankful for many things, but are we demonstrating that thankfulness to our Lord, to our families, and to everyone, all year long???

Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! ... 1 Chron 16:8.

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever ... 1 Chron 16:34.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him ... Col 3:17.

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving ... Col 4:2.

... in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you ... 1 Thess 5:18.

... stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at evening ... 1 Chron 23:30.

Happy Friday, sweet friends.

P.S. Today I’m very thankful for a full week off next week to spend with THIS guy!!

Honeymoon 087

1 comment:

Diana Amy said...

Gah I saw that quotation on pinterest and definitely thought, "SHOOT." Most of my prayers are future-based: either I'm asking something, or, if I am feeling thankful, it's usually about the plan that I know God has for me that I'm excited about. I never take the time to appreciate where His plan has already brought me! Thanks for this timely reminder & enjoy your weekend! :)