Many years ago, my mom told me about a visitor from Romania. When the visitor went to the grocery store and saw the huge array of fresh fruit and vegetables, she burst into tears.
Fresh fruit and vegetables were in short supply in her country. Seeing such abundance was overwhelming.
When was the last time?
When was the last time you were awed at the choices available to you in the grocery store? When was the last time you deliberately gave God thanks?
We have so much, and we tend to expect those riches. “Plenty” has become “normal.” However, abundance is a gift, not an entitlement.
Be intentionally grateful
Take a moment and look around wherever you are. Give God thanks for your situation, and what is available to you. Be intentionally grateful.
In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for [your name] in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18. See also, Ephesians 1:20, Colossians 3:16-17, Hebrews 13:15)
The challenge
I am sitting in a beautiful spot, looking out at the water, hoping to see a dolphin. The refrigerator/freezer is running and has quality food inside. The house is dry, my computer is behaving, the TV works… and on and on.
Am I going to grumble because I don’t see dolphins? Or am I going to stop what I’m doing and give thanks to God for His many blessings?
How about you? What are you grateful for right this minute? What should you be grateful for?
The challenge to myself, and to you: Be intentionally grateful.
