Gratitude

Happy Thursday, friends!  We are counting down the days until Thanksgiving break at our house.  We are looking forward to a much-needed break.

With this month being Thanksgiving, I have really been thinking a lot lately about gratitude.

Gratitude is defined as:  “the quality of being thankful, readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.”

If you are like me, sometimes you struggle with showing gratitude.

When I think of gratitude, I think of being content.  Why is it so hard for our human hearts to be content?

I will be the first to admit that I STRUGGLE with this!

I always want more, more, more.

My friend gets a new car, so I want a new car.

I want the bigger house.

I see someone wearing a cute outfit and think that my outfits are all horrible and I need a new wardrobe.

The list goes on and on and on and on.

Why is this??!!?!?

It is a direct lie from Satan himself.  Satan wants to keep our hearts stirred up with discontent so we are not focused on the things that truly matter in this life.

We must take a step back and realize that all of these “things” don’t even matter at the end of our time here on Earth.  Our “things” won’t get us into heaven, and you can’t take these “things” with you into heaven.

So, please join me and being more content with what you have.  Start thanking God for what you have and stop worrying about the things you don’t have.

I am reminded of another quote that says something like, “the things you take for granted are the things that someone else is praying for~ be thankful.”

I have a roof over my head, a vehicle that gets me places, clothes on my back, and food on the table.  I have a husband and girls that love me fiercely.  I have family and friends that have my back and help me in any time of need.

Starting today, I am going to be more aware of giving thanks for all that I have.

The book of Psalm is full of wonderful scriptures about thankfulness and gratitude.  I have been trying to read a new chapter every morning.

One of my favorite Bible verses that I keep repeating to myself over and over is simple but true:

Psalm 106:1, “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!”

Won’t you join me today and start showing more gratitude?

~Jen