“A Heart of Gratitude”

Hello 👋😁 & Welcome!

The word for today is about having gratitude over murmuring and complaining. When we show love in action we open the door for miracles to happen inside our lives. It’s the quality of being thankful and having a readiness to show appreciation and to return kindness. Gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. It helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improves health, builds strong relationships and guides us toward overcoming our adversities with stride and perseverance.

“Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.” – Henry Ward Beecher

Gratitude and thanksgiving to God stand opposed to our murmuring and complaints about our situation. Gratitude and murmuring never abide in the same heart at the same time. An unappreciative spirit has no standing beside gratitude and praise.

True prayer banishes complaining, it promotes thanksgiving, and a heart of gratitude. Dissatisfaction at one’s lot, and a disposition to be discontented with things that come to us in the providence of God, are foes to gratitude and enemies of thanksgiving.

Proverbs 17:22

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.“

Proverbs 13:12

”Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.”

I Thessalonians 5:18

”In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Philippians 4:6

”Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God.”

James 1:17

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

Psalm 7:17

”I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.”

Psalm 150:1-6

”Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.”

Here are some ways we can show gratitude with our actions:

1. Say a kind word:

The quickest, simplest and easiest way to demonstrate gratitude is to say thanks to another. If you don’t have a specific item to express thanks for, saying a few kind words is just as effective. Kind words earnestly spoken are like healing balm to a troubled soul. They work equally well for those who are stressed, feel unappreciated, are lonely, ill, tired or just a bit anxious or depressed. Besides, don’t you feel a little better when someone has a kind thing to say to you? Absolutely! 😉

2. Include others in your plans:

Chances are you know someone who’s alone or lonely, maybe just someone who could use some time away from being a caregiver for a loved one. What extra would it take for you to invite that individual to accompany you on an outing, to share a coffee or beverage at a nearby restaurant, take in a movie, or go for a walk? When you include others in your plans, it lets them know you’re thinking about them and value their friendship. It’s also an effortless way to express your gratitude.

3. Listen intently:

I know I’m guilty of sometimes thinking so hard about what I’m about to say next that I fail to grasp the essence of what another person is saying. That’s a common behavior that can be corrected, although it takes effort and practice. When I stop editing my next comments and listen actively and intently to the other person, and show by my body language that I’m in the moment in their conversation, it shows I respect and appreciate them. This is a lesson each of us must learn.

4. Bring over lunch:

Preparing meals, especially if you’re overworked and chronically stressed, is often akin to a dreaded chore. Don’t you know someone who’d be delighted if you’d surprise them with a tasty lunch? Maybe it’s a neighbor, a coworker, a friend or loved one who could use a little lift that you can easily deliver with an inexpensive lunch. What a wonderful way to show your gratitude for all this person means to you.

5. Pay an impromptu visit:

How often have you heard others welcome you to drop by and pay them a visit? If the comment is genuinely expressed, pay heed. This is a subtle invitation to spend some time with that individual, unplanned and unrehearsed. They’re asking you to come over. When you do, even if it’s a quick visit on your way home from work or church or shopping, it lets that person know you care. It will encourage and uplift their spirits.

6. Email to check in:

If you’re busy and can’t take the time for an in-person visit, there’s always email. Dash off a thoughtfully worded communication to let another person know he or she is in your thoughts. People want to know they’re loved, appreciated and cherished.

7. Call to say hello:

I love to hear a loved one’s voice on the phone. It’s much more personal than an email, although it doesn’t take the place of a physical visit. You’d be surprised how satisfying a call can be. It is a quickly-handled way to say hello – and will be much appreciated by the recipient. Even if you both are short on time, the exchange of pleasantries stimulates a sense of well-being.

8. Ask if there’s anything you can do:

Like most people, I don’t like having to ask others for help. That’s something that was instilled in me as a child, to be self-sufficient and do things for myself. Sometimes, however, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with all the things on your to-do list. Since we all feel this way, put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Ask if there’s anything you can do to help, and mean to follow up on your offer if it’s accepted.

9. Pick flowers from your garden and deliver them to a friend:

A bright bouquet of flowers is a cheery way to express your gratitude. They don’t call them “Thank You” bouquets for nothing. Yet, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to show someone how much you appreciate them. Pick some blooms from your garden and take them to a deserving friend. Their smile of appreciation will say it all.

10. Offer to do an errand, help with chores:

When life happens, there never seemed to be enough time to get everything done. Laundry, chores and many more responsibilities seems to eat away whatever spare time you have left. For that reason, when I have an opportunity, I offer to help someone else out. It doesn’t have to be housework, either. Helping a coworker with a project, volunteering, taking a family member’s kids to the park all count, too!

In addition to expressing our gratitude and making someone else feel better, you’ll likewise reap benefits from your words and actions. Consider gratitude a virtue, for it’s a unique trait towards a better you.

Colossians 3:15-16

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

Dear Heavenly Father,

We don’t want dissatisfaction to stand in the way of being grateful and giving you praise and thanksgiving. Please grant unto us this day, an appreciative and wholesome spirit. We receive your blessing as you continue to go before us in all things. Amen! ⚔️🛡🏹

In His Grip,

Pastor Wendy Schenkel