Category: gratefulness

I received one of the most beautiful,unexpected gifts this week; the gift of kindness from someone whom noted she wanted to be a friend to me. As our bible study discussed the friendship of Jonathan and David, I had casually mentioned that God never blessed me with a true friend. I’ve had many acquaintances “for a season”, but when our lives changed so too did the friendship. True friendships endure changes and trials. Thus,casual friends would come and go from my life as circumstances changed. When I received a text from the gal in my bible study noting she would like to be a friend to me, I didn’t just shed tears. I sobbed! That was a hug from God, reminding me of His love for me, through the compassion of another. I Thess. 5:18, “in everything give thanks…” I can certainly say thank you for this gift God when I so greatly needed it.

With the holiday season upon us, purchasing that special gift for friends and family is a pertinent component for many on their holiday “to do” list. However, some of the greatest gifts a person can give or receive are those which are intangible and are given in love and sincerity. As my pastor, Chuck Swindoll cited in this devotion today, “Christmas is right around the corner. How about giving the gift of forgiveness, a cup full of kindness, a sincere phone call of grace to someone who would never expect it and might not deserve it . . . with no strings attached?”

Have you given a gift of your time? No matter where we reside or what our status in life, whether poor, rich or middle class, we are all given the same amount of time. What we do with our time can be a gift to ourselves and others or it can be an adversity. As a child and adolescent, my parents had no time for me or my siblings. I vowed then if God blessed me with a family, I would have time for them. Life can alter our plans but, making time for others must be a priority. Giving the gift of our time doesn’t mandate hours a day but can be minutes if the time is quality. Do you listen to others when they have a need to share? While sitting in traffic do you allow another driver to exit in front of you or do you make certain you charge ahead and leave them waiting? Do you allow a fellow customer at the store to be ahead of you in line if they have only 1-2 items while you have a cart full? Do you step aside to let others enter ahead of you in line? The list of blessings can be lengthy, if only we give a gift of even a small amount of our time. Some day you may need that gift from another, so why not give it today while God has given you the opportunity to do so? Luke 6:31 “do unto others…”

If your life and plans were snatched away from you due to another person or circumstances, Jeramiah 29:11 reminds us that God has plans for us. I didn’t expect to find myself alone and abandoned as a senior. I spent years praying that God would heal and restore the only relationship I ever had, but both parties must have that desire for a mutual love and a healing. When that didn’t happen, it is time to move on with my life and to see those plans which God has for me. As I prepare to move from a community I have been a part of for over 40 years, the physical and emotional move is difficult. However, what a ray of “sonshine” when I went to the moving company to pick up boxes and I was “gifted” paper and packing tape. It may seem small to some persons, but for me it was a gesture of kindness and thoughtfulness. As I drove away from the moving company with supplies in tow, I shed a few tears and with a whisper on my lips, I “thanked God.” Yes, His plans are perfect, even when we feel our life is hopeless. I Thess. 5:18, means in sorrow, as well as joy.

Do you love the rain? I always do. I awakened during the night hearing the rain and thanking God for his blessing to us. As I stepped out of bed, I thanked Him again as the rain continued to fall softly. It not only brings refreshment to our flora and fauna, but it seems the birds sing more brilliantly following a rain. When residing in south Florida, the temperature was always hot and hotter, but how I loved the daily rains during the spring and summer. For a brief time, we had a change from the hot, glaring sun. We also know that if the sun is shining during the rain, God’s promise is beautiful for us; His rainbow. How grateful I am to be reminded of all His promises when often times the rain brings storms to our lives. I Thess. 5:18 “ In every thing give thanks…”

HAPPY LABOR DAY, faithful followers of my blog. This is a day to give thanks for jobs we have, may have had and even those we may have lost. Yes, it’s extremely difficult to give thanks for jobs or other life situations we may have lost. I know! I’ve experienced much loss, but I have to continue to give thanks in knowing and believing that God truly does have a better plan for me. Also, as you may enjoy this day from those jobs to enjoy your friends, family or even some “just me” time, please think of the millions in our US and around the world whom have no jobs or homes. Psalm 118:1 “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good…”

Being gracious is a gift. Have you ever received a gift you didn’t like? Have you ever been invited to a party you didn’t wish to attend? Has someone you don’t like wanted to converse with you? Are you gracious or do you make the gift giver, the hostess whom invited you or the person whom wants to converse with you know it is not what you desire? For my entire adult life, there was someone whom made certain I always knew I was beneath them. They would choose not to look at me if I asked a query or reply to me when I spoke or acknowledge me when I was present. Even though such actions are offensive to us the recipients, I must always remind myself, the person whom lacks the gift of kindness and graciousness has a much greater loss in their life, than as do I; the recipient of such unkindness. Acts 20:35b: “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”

As we share our gratitude with others in our lives, Charles Stanley asked if we express our gratitude to God. “Gratitude isn’t limited to verbal expressions or prayers…songs can often say what our heart feels…another way to express our gratefulness is by serving God.” Charles reminds us, “ultimately we show the Lord our gratitude through obedience. Is God on your list of ones to thank today?” Psalm 100: 4, “enter His gates with thanksgiving.”

Do you ever have those days when your life seems boring and routine? You hear about the joys of others around you and wonder why things haven’t gone well for you? Sometimes we fail to be grateful for what seems to be insignificant and trivial. Then we may realize our lives may be suddenly changed; the loss of a job, the loss of a loved one, serious illness, abandonment from a spouse or parent, etc. I Thess 5:18” In every thing give thanks…” even for those boring and routine, but stable days of our lives.

Have you had such a deep emotional sorrow that you wondered how you could endure? Have you longed for the gift of encouragement? While experiencing such desolation recently, I turned not only to God for strength, but also began reading and listening to countless Christian audio books. Over the years I have reached out to authors when I have been impressed by their books. Such happened recently when I contacted Colleen Swindoll Thompson. Her gift of support and encouragement was unlike any I have received. She replied not only with one note of Christian love and comfort, but two. I have received unsolicited criticism about my sorrow from persons I knew. Yet here was a woman whom had never met me but provided a tremendous “gift.” Hers was one of not only acknowledging my grief, but inspiring me that in God’s time, my pain would be healed. Have you given such a gift to someone whom is suffering? I Thess. 5:18 “In everything give thanks…”