Hope For Today "Gratitude"

Practicing a lifestyle of gratitude is of great value in experiencing today as good and truly being contented. Since the practice of gratitude is so powerful, how can we make it an intentional part of our daily living? 

How many of us who have given our will and our life over to the care of God have taken time to acknowledge all that we received by making that decision? At times we may focus more on what we let go of rather than on what we have received. Maybe a shift would do us well.

Just like the hub on a wheel brings together all the spokes and the tire that surrounds them so they work in unity, so God brings all things in our lives together.

At times we may focus more on what we have had to let go of rather than on what we have received. We need to change our thought patterns and focus on those things which build us up and encourage us to move forward with God.

We celebrate and pray for workers on this Labour Day. We want to honour and give thanks for the collective labour force of people within our families, our communities, and our nations.

As we consider being grateful today I thought we could focus on what it means to remain in a posture of gratitude a little longer than just a fleeting moment.

At various times in our lives we’ve known feelings of chaos, dread, fear, and even panic.  It’s so common particularly when we feel out of control.  We don’t know what to do or where to turn. Thankfully, because we live with God, we have someone who is near and available to give us the help and comfort we need when difficult circumstances arise.

Praise the Lord - why would someone do that, especially when times are tough and complicated?

What are we thankful for today?  Or I suppose I should ask, are we conscious of things we have to be grateful for? How often do we rehearse the events of the day or even the past week and remember how God has been good to us?  I don't know of any practice that brings joy, builds strength, and gives hope more than the practice of giving thanks.

On Tuesday of the week Jesus was sacrificed for us, we know that He was at a dinner. Remember the story? While Jesus is having dinner a woman of “ill repute” comes with a very expensive bottle of perfume and pours the perfume on Jesus’ head to express her love and gratitude to Him and to honour Him. Jesus said she would always be remembered and here we are 2000 years later doing just that.

So few people really recognized Jesus and gave thanks for who He was.  This week we want to take time to focus our attention on Him. We are asking God to help us to honor Jesus in these days and going forward.

It’s Palm Sunday as we head into Holy Week.  This is the day where we remember and celebrate how Jesus, The King of Kings and Lord of Lords rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and was given a hero’s welcome.