“There’s nothing to be thankful for said the student”, all the while having the best running shoes, clothes in the building, not to mention a good family.
When I said that it was a great day for the simple reason that he was able to get up and have a chance for a new beginning, he said that he hadn’t thought about it that way and that he’d give the day a try…..
(A year later, He’s on to college and doing so much better)
Forward Friday looks at gratefulness and how the words we speak and the actions produced can have a profound effect on our outlook in life. And as always, there’s good news medicine at the end!
Let’s’ Get Into This!
One of my high school friends have been in hospital and not doing too well.
We’ve been taking turns visiting him with a mutual high school friend and this week, they had a chat about Gratitude….
The question was posed, “You’ve got more to be thankful for than you think. There were 3 things she mentioned that would say that he had more going for him than not and then…..
She said, “What are 30 things you are grateful for?” He started slowly but after a couple of minutes, he was up to 30 and more….
So it got me thinking that we all should every so often have our “30 Gratitude” list.
So here’s mine and maybe it will prompt us to remind ourselves that we have much to be grateful for.
1. I am thankful for the breath I breathe.
2. I am thankful for the city I live in.
3. I am thankful for the 4 seasons.
4. I am thankful for the car that I have.
5. I am thankful for the house I live in.
6. I am thankful for the opportunity to travel.
7. I am grateful for the ability to enjoy foods that I like
8. I am grateful for the many students I've worked with over the years
9. I am grateful for the skills/abilities to work in schools and churches over the years
10. I am grateful for the ability to speak life to many groups of people.
11. I am grateful that our catering company has been a fun experience
12. I am grateful that I love music
13. I am grateful that I love to sing
14. I am thankful to play in orchestras and bands over many years
15. I am thankful that I love sports and working out at the gym
16. I am thankful that I referee hockey and enjoy being on the ice each week
17. I am thankful that I enjoy cooking and creating a great experience for others
18. I am grateful for the friends I have
19. I am thankful for the parents I had/have
20. I am grateful for heaven and the hope that heaven brings
21. I am grateful for my church and the joy the community brings
22. I am thankful for my brother
23. I am grateful for honest conversations
24. I am grateful for directional moments
25. I am grateful for my wife
26. I am grateful for her wisdom and grace
27. I am thankful for mercy
28. I am thankful for forgiveness
29. I am grateful that every day is a new day for growth/change
And Now For Some Good News Medicine
30. is my relationship with Jesus.
I do not know where I would be without him.
From my salvation to keeping me through thick and thin, from blessing my life with good things, I am a grateful man.
Among the many things I am thankful for is His grace and mercy towards me and that He loves humanity enough to give His life to redeem/liberate/rescue/deliver us.
The Bible has encouragement for us to be grateful and thankful.
Ephesians 5:20 Always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Psalms 118:24 "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalms 102:2-5 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.”
My friend’s encouragement to our friend was that it was time to reframe the brain and recognize that gratitude makes a difference in our outlook on so many levels.
Having had some tough moments recently, there's still so much to be thankful for but it's all about how we look at it.
So what are you grateful for? Don’t just make it a list; make it a daily reality that gratitude is in our DNA!
Making a list this weekend; how about you? Join me!!
Dave
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