Develop a thankful heart
Developing a Thankful Heart
“Offer unto God thanksgiving, and pay thy vows unto the highest. And call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me” (Psalm 50:14-15).
Thankful Celebration
On the fourth Thursday of November, we celebrate Thanksgiving. During this national holiday, people gather around a table and enjoy a feast of delicious food. On this occasion, several families related to one another reunite to express their thoughts and share a meal.
Sharing Blessings
Some family Thanksgiving practices include a brief time when everyone at the table has a chance to say why they are thankful. To sit around that table, I may have to leave my house, travel to my relative’s home, and visit with close and distant kin folks.
If I am unable to attend such a time away, there is still a need for me to celebrate Thanksgiving in some way. Doing so overcomes my natural tendency to care for my own needs to the exclusion of the needs of others.
Not Always Thankful
When I was growing up as an only child, the challenge was always present for me to accomplish what I was required to do, with a good attitude. I met the requirement goals, but the good attitude at times lagged behind.
My parents had a rough time raising me. I proved to be an ornery kid. Once my Dad, the minister, had invited an evangelist to come preach evangelistic services for a week at his church. On the way to the church, every night, the evangelist and I shared the back seat of the car. My parents were in the front seat, with my Dad driving.
A Grateful Turnaround
That evangelist had figured out I was a problem kid. He nailed me with looks, saying nothing. I appreciated him greatly! My turnaround as a teenager began with that gentle giant of a man.
My parents knew they had a problem. They did their best to raise me to be godly. They prevailed! Their untold number of prayers to God, He resoundingly answered in the affirmative.
I thank God for the many positive influences of my parents and other people God has put in my path over the years of my life. They helped me grow and develop into a person who honors God with a grateful heart.
https://youtu.be/X9-PxeNrd9c
https://youtu.be/X9-PxeNrd9c Give Thanks
Thanksgiving is gratitude.
My parents were grateful God gave them a child to raise.
Gratitude is appreciation. They appreciated God entrusting them with the responsibility to train their child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Appreciation is closely related to contentment. My parents tried to have another child after I was born, but there were no additional children. They were content to pour their lives into raising me to glorify God.
Living a Thankful Life
It was not an easy job for them. I made their life difficult at times. Their efforts paid off. I am living my life under submission to God’s authority.
Abiding in the Lord, my life is bearing fruit. I am at a place in my life where I want others to pick the spiritual fruit God has developed in me. I want them to taste God in every bite. May God make His grace so delicious they want God to produce His fruit in them too.
To get to this place we need to realize our constant dependence on God and frequently call on Him for His help. To me, this is a picture of abiding in the Lord.
May God be beautiful in your life today!
Shirley Logsdon
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