30 Days of Thanksgiving - gratefulness and contentment

Some people are too quickly satisfied with God's blessings, others are never satisfied with God's blessings.  I came across two humorous stories about gratefulness and contentment that might make you laugh.  Michael Hodgin shares them in a book entitled, 1001 Humorous Illustrations.  The first story goes something like this --- A food editor of the local newspaper received a telephone call from a woman inquiring how long to cook a 22-pound turkey.  'Just a minute,' said the food editor.  'Thank you very much,' replied the novice cook, and hung up!    The second story follows ---  In a region of Mexico hot and cold springs are found side by side. Because of the convenience of this natural phenomenon the women often bring their laundry, boil their clothes in the hot spring and then rinse them in the cold spring. A tourist watching this procedure commented to his Mexican guide, 'They must think mother nature is generous to freely supply such ample clean hot and cold water.' The guide replied, 'No, señor, there is much grumbling because she does not supply the soap.'  Some of us are satisfied too quickly and others are seemingly never satisfied.  So what's the point?

First, it's important to understand that God takes ungratefulness very seriously.  when God gives us a blessing, we should be quick to give thanks.  Consider King Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles 32:24-25.  The Bible says, "In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death.  He prayed to the LORD, who answered him and gave him a miraculous sign.  But Hezekiah's heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the LORD's wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem.”  The New Testament provides another example in Romans 1.  Paul connects ungratefulness with "darkened minds" (Romans 1).  Wow!  Being thankful is really important.  

Second, gratefulness can produce an attitude of contentment in your life.  It works, really!  Next time you feel like complaining or reciting all the negatives in your life, take a deep breathe and begin counting all your blessings!  Repeat until your attitude changes!  Plus gratefulness is contagious.

Third, gratefulness can balance out your expectations in life.  Remember, some of us are too easily satisfied, while others seem to never be satisfied.  Gratefulness can produce patience and perseverance in your life.  We when focus on the good things in our lives rather than the troubles, we are reminded of God's grace and we gain hope for more of the same. 

Practice gratefulness and contentment this week as you walk with the Lord.  Pastor Tom