Friday, April 25, 2008

Gratitude~


Among the first words many of us were taught to say are please and thank you. I taught this to my girl's at an early age. No one gets quite as excited as a parent or grandparent when a toddler firs utters those words and makes the connection between asking politely and receiving gratefully.

But I suspect that as we get older we become more adept at saying please than thank you, especially with our heavenly Father. We focus more on pressing needs than on previous provisions; we petition more than we praise. And while God invites us to come to Him with all our needs, He also urges us to make gratitude a habit.

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Verse 16~ 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.

Verse 17~ And whatever ye do in word or deed, do ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the father by Him.

The three verse reminds us that we are to always have a grateful heart and we are to remain grateful to God! I today's society we are seeing less and less gratefulness from the public in general. I really do not know how to react when I say thank you and someone says Yes, I'm thinking " Did your mom not teach you the words "Your welcome?" I never stop reminding my girl's to use manners. If you start at a young age they usually carry this habit all through their life. I sometimes think I may go overboard with this but I am sincerely grateful for what anyone does for me. I am so Thankful God saved me and put that thankful spirit in my heart for it is good to "give thanks to God."

Gratitude should be a continuous attitude, not just a occasional incident~


Have a great weekend :)





7 comments:

Karen said...

There is nothing better than hearing your child thank you for something and know that they really mean it. I have a lot to be thankful for to my Heavenly Father. Good post Lisa.

Oh and i really like the colours in your newly painted dining/kitchen area. It looks very nice.

Brandy said...

Hey lady we did have a great time!! I agree with the please and thank you! I always try to thank God for everything, but I forget sometimes. Have a good week end and thank you!

Heather said...

Thank you so much for welcoming me back and visiting my blog! :) I look forward to reading yours!

Gena said...

Great post. I hammer this one home with my children, too. I can't tell you how many times I'm in a store, where you would think that your cashier, or sales help, would thank you for shopping there. Nope, I thank them and barely get a response. I don't think many people teach gratitude or manners anymore.

I also love your last quote.

Have a great weekend!

TO BECOME said...

I loved your post. It brought back memories of my children first "thank yous." It is such a special time in life because one day you know that they can be thankful for the things God gives to them because they have learned to be thankful to you for the plate of food, a new shirt a box of crayolas ets. A very special time. love you, connie from Texas

Karen H. said...

Good Afternoon Lisa,
I enjoyed your post about gratitude. I have always taught our girls to say Please and Thank You. I have to remind them to say it sometimes tho. I love the color your hubby painted your kitchen and dining area. You have a beautiful home there and I know you are very proud of it. I really love the granite counter tops. I have always wanted those kind of counter tops myself. Here at the house we live in now has the butcher block look counter tops. It's okay, but I had much rather have the granite look. Maybe someday I can have the granite look. Take care my friend and have a great day. May God Bless You and Yours.

Love & Hugs,
Karen H.

Shelly said...

Whenn there is genuine thankfullness then that is worth it. Not just out of habit for saying thank you, please, or your welcome. So many people might say those things but how genuine are they when they say it? Good blog!