Be Thankful for everyday blessings

Mark 6:52“For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.”

This week we will celebrate Thanksgiving.  It is a time when we consider all the blessings we have received at the hand of God. It is a time to stop and appreciate things we take for granted. Gratitude keeps the ideology of “entitlement” at bay.  Once we begin to believe we deserve or are entitled to all the world offers, our hearts will become hardened.  Hard hearts will not be grateful for the small things we have.

I have a small sign beside my back door that says, “Gratitude says what we have is enough.”

Every Good is given by the hand of God

James 1: 17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

Everything we have and are is a gift from God.  Understanding that one truth motivates me to be thankful and appreciate what we celebrate.

Lessons –Keep my eyes open to blessings

After studying this week’s lesson, one verse jumped out of the page for me. It was Mark 6:52 that I referenced at the beginning of today’s writing.

I urge you to read the entire passage. Mark 6:7-12, 30-52. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+6&version=NKJV

It is a story of the power of Jesus and the disciples in training for missions, and miracle after miracle happening.  The disciples go out teaching two by two and miracles happen.  People are healed, demons are cast out. They return excited about all that was done.  They are exhausted. Next, you read how Jesus feeds the 5000 men plus the women and children. Another supernatural miracle was seen by the 12.  Leaving there in a boat, a storm comes up. The disciples are having a difficult time rowing with the storm battering them. Again, they still have had time to rest.  Exhaustion!  Jesus walks on water, saves them, the wind ceases once Jesus steps in the boat. At which point scripture tells us,

^{Mark 6:51} Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. ⁵² For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.

They saw the miracles but forgot them quickly.

Really!! They walked with Jesus every day and saw the wonderful things he did.  One would think they would recognize how awesome it was to be with Him.  Thankful that Jesus had chosen them!  But no, their hearts were hardened for they did not see, spiritually, what was happening around them.

Be grateful and aware of what’s happening around you

While meditating on this verse, I wondered if I am the same way oftentimes.  God’s blessings and miracles are all around us.  Every breath we take comes from the awesome way He knit us together in our mother’s womb.  The sun comes up at just the right time.  The moon rises on a regular path.  We may unknowingly escape some awful accident. There are so many times in a day we need to open our spiritual eyes to what might be happening around us. 

Attitude of gratitude

Thanksgiving.  An attitude of gratitude.  Let’s not forget as we celebrate with our families and friends all the things God blesses us with each day.

The disciples may have gotten so used to these “miracles” Jesus did on a daily basis they forgot how special it was.  

Have a heart full of gratitude

I am challenged by this story.  I never want it said of me that my heart was hardened.   Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to remind us of all we have to be thankful for.  Let’s keep our eyes opened spiritually, always looking for the daily miracles that are placed in our lives.  Then praise the one who gives us all things.  

https://youtu.be/8kiU65jzqhc

Josh Groban  – Thankful

Thank you Jesus. 

 

Freda Reynolds