A Grateful Heart

How often do we say thank you and not really mean it? I know some folks who just say it to get others to not bother them. In fact we are all guilty of that in one form or another. For some, thanks is just a five letter word and is used from the mouth not the truth in the heart. The mind is on something else and we just say it to say it. Kind of like saying sorry when you really don’t mean it. This is something that we really must consider and in consideration to others find a different, kinder way of expressing our thoughts rather than use words without proper intentions.

Thankfulness

Scripture tells us to be thankful to God for His Grace, Mercy, Love, Testing, and Correction. Meaning in all things be thankful to our Creator who gives us life, guides us, disciplines us, forgives us, and saves us. To be full creatures under God’s Unending, Unconditional Love should we not also be the same way with our fellow man?

Being thankful is not an easy task sometimes. The hard in heart have a difficult time with this because they really do not know what or how to say any form of gratitude. For some, within their own close family saying thank you is not easy either.

Thankfulness Starts in the Heart

We are creatures of habit but our habit must begin somewhere. Because of our good and bad natures we immediately learn the difference and meaning of “no” or not good, and “yes” or good. The innocence of not understanding is guided to doing right or wrong things to learn. How we are disciplined when we are young stays in the heart.

Thankfulness is a feeling that begins with rescue. The infant is rescued from hunger and dirty diapers and then given comfort when falling asleep. The child is exposed to gratitude when they feel nourished, clean, and protected. As the child grows, sparing the rod (simple Godly discipline) shows the child that they can get away with anything. If this continues then the child will probably grow up not understanding right from wrong and not knowing how to be grateful. Yes we have to let kids be kids but they must learn boundaries of behavior.

As the child develops so do morals and values. Children learn from observing and doing. They learn from example. The best way for the child to learn gratitude is exposure to Godly love and care through those that are part of the child’s life. This is what our Father gives to us.

Proverbs 22:6 tells us what we are supposed to do for our children so that they can be acceptable members of society in both body and spirit. Overdoing it can be just as bad as not doing it at all. The best thing to do is to be an example to them.  

If we are not taught respect and good manners in the home, how do we expect them to respect and honor those outside the family circle. There are many different cultures in this world. Some are very thankful and filled with gratitude, while others are so busy that good manners are totally out the window. Some people expect others to give and do not give back even a smile. There are some that I have unfortunately had a non-Christian moment with where I wished they would be struck with hard times so they would learn gratitude. I know that is not right for me or anyone for that matter but some do really need it.

Thankfulness in Suffering

Even though Adam and Eve disobeyed, God did not kill them and start over. He taught them to be thankful even though they suffered loss. Being thankful in times of distress is not easy but God put something into our hearts that makes it possible, His Love. Though we feel sadness and may even question God, we should be able to thank Him. Not because we survived but because it was through God that the outcome was what it was. The lesson learned is that God’s Plan is His and we are part of it. Just because we suffer does not mean someone else is not brought to God.

A Grateful Heart

The grateful heart is one that is thankful in all situations. God teaches us through His Word to be thankful for all things through, to, and in Him. This gratefulness for God that builds in the heart gives us the strength, knowledge, and courage to face the world and everything that Satan tries to pull us from God.

Having a grateful heart is not always easy but when we are grateful for even the smallest blade of grass and grain of sand, we learn to grateful for the things that are out of our control and everything that is put in our path. It is a great way to live. In fact, Scripture tells us that God desires us to live that way.

Brothers and Sisters have a great Thanksgiving and carry this gratefulness into the next and every year God gives you. May God Bless You with fullness of a Grateful heart and a better understanding of His Grace, Mercy and Love.

In His Loving Embrace,

Rob, Servant of God