Gratitude

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues,
but the parent of all the others.
~Cicero~

In a society where the self is worshiped, it's easy to become complacent and forget that all of life is a gift. After all we deserve to be satisfied, don't we? We can find it easy to take for granted the little things that, contrary to popular opinion, are not entitlements.

Thank you God for the dew each morning that brings delight as my toddler marches gaily in the grass...

We are surrounded by people who will do whatever it takes to be happy, though happiness doesn't hold the depth of joy, nor the burden-relieving power of grace. Happiness as a by-product is a blessing; happiness as a destination is a mirage.

Thank you God for the feeling of warm running water as I clean from the dishes the remnants of a meal with my family...

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."
Melodie Beattie

"Gratitude turns what we have into enough..."

Can it be that merely turning from our complaints toward an attitude of thanksgiving is all that is required to bring life from the death of dissatisfaction? Why can't we see that we don't need a life of ease, or a different spouse, or more money, or a bigger house to have enough? But wait, there is something more that is required...

And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor. 12:9

Thank you God for my weakness. Thank you God for your power in Christ that rests on me. Thank you God for problems, failures, and mistakes that are transformed into victories when left at your feet.

Thank you God...

Thank you God...

Thank you...

May gratitude be the pillow I rest on tonight, the ground I tread on tomorrow and my companion in the future.





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