Gratefulness is feeling or showing appreciation towards someone or for something done or received. It’s being thankful not in a superficial way but in a deep appreciative way. Many of us growing up we can remember one of the first few words that we were taught as kids, was the word, thank you. Every parent stresses out to their kids, the importance of saying thank you. But in this modern society how do we move from mere politeness to a genuine attitude of gratitude? In a society where everybody feels they are entitled to this and that, kids and adults alike are swallowed up with a desire to have more, leaving less room to be grateful.
In order for one to be grateful you need to reflect on what you have and not what you don’t have. Take time today and start listing everything you have that you should be grateful for, from the least of things to the most important. Whether it’s your health, the job you hold no mater how stressful it is, portable water, friends you have, your pet, food on the table or even the annoying neighbour reminding you, you are not living in isolation, beautiful snow flakes as they softly fall on the ground; the list is endless. Whatever it is you are facing, once you purposefully start reflecting on what you have, and the goodness around, you will soon have an infinite list of blessings to write down, and your problem will seem smaller. Parents we get upset at our kids when they receive something and do not say thanks; even more embarrassed if they receive from someone else and we have to quickly nudge them to say thank you (been there, awkward!).
Did you know that even God expects an attitude of gratefulness from us? There is a story in the Bible in Luke 17:15-18 where ten men who were lepers stood afar (as leprosy was contagious and considered unclean) and cried to Jesus to heal them. He told them to go as they are healed by their faith. On the way, they realised their skin was cleansed, and one of the lepers came back and fell at Jesus’ feet, and in tears thanked Him for the healing. Jesus asked how comes there were ten men healed and only one has come back to give thanks. It shows He had an expectation for the ten men to come back grateful for their healing.
During this holiday season as we celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas it is the perfect time to slow down and contemplate on our blessings. Instead of a long wish list to Santa how about a long list of things we are grateful for. It’s a time to reflect on the goodness that others have to done to us and more importantly that God has done to us, and give thanks. Let us be like King David who kept reminding his heart to not forget any of the benefits of the Lord (Psalms 103:2)
What are you thankful for today? I bet the list is very long. Please share your comments with us and together let us be grateful this holiday season for all that God has done for us.
