When my dad died two years ago he left many treasures behind for his family. One of the special treasures was the individual file folders labeled with the name of every child, grandchild and great-grandchild. Each contained cards, notes, letters, accomplishments and pictures related to that individual. Then there were the multitudes of wild swimming trunks and colorful shirts carefully coordinated, leaving us with the visual pictures of him dressed in each one. Then the memories of laughter expressed at his ridiculously crazy, funny ways.
He left other items, such as boxes and boxes of cassette tapes from years of Christmas mornings shared together as a family. Our tradition was to wait until my Grandpa Barton, my mom’s dad, showered and shaved before we could go in and open our gifts. As a young child, it seemed like an eternity. I am certain Grandpa slowed down his normal routine, just to be ornery. Before we entered the room, my dad would push the record button and off we went. One particular year, my brother was extremely grateful for everything he received; you could hear him say over and over again, “Thank you mom, thank you dad, thank you mom, thank you dad.” We have laughed many times over the years when we’ve listened to that old cassette tape; you might say he had an attitude of gratitude.
It has been hard for me to have my brother’s attitude. Gratefulness has not been what has spilled out, but rather- anger, frustration, impatience and hopelessness. I have struggled to say, “Thank you Father for all You have allowed in my life.” Often I have failed to see my circumstances as a gift from the Father.
Our youngest daughter has always had an exceptionally grateful spirit. I can remember times when the cost was very little, yet she was grateful for what I had done for her. She is and has always been quick to say, “Thank you.” No matter the cost her heart was a grateful heart. As a parent I can remember how it made me feel that she was thankful and willing to express her gratefulness; it made me want to do more for her.
“Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” So, when He saw them, He said to them, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.”
A foreigner thanked Jesus for delivering him from the loneliness, pain and agony of living with leprosy! Not even one of His own, this foreigner overflowing with gratefulness for God’s gift of healing and restoration fell at His feet. In the NKJ you read the words of Jesus in response to the nine who never returned to say thank you, “Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” If you read on you will see that Jesus asked, “Were there not ten cleansed? But, where are the nine?” Why are they not expressing gratefulness for My divine healing? Jesus speaks to the one who was prostrate before him, weeping from a heart of thanksgiving and says to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”
So often along this journey I have cried out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on me, help me!” He has answered and lovingly given what was needed. Yet I, like the nine, have failed to return falling at His feet and glorifying Him, thanking Him for giving just what I needed. I have failed to see the gifts God has given me wrapped within the pain of my circumstances– like a cassette tape void of an attitude of gratitude.
Father, forgive me, your child for neglecting to thank you in all things! Forgive me for failing to see all the incredible gifts you have wrapped up within the life circumstances you have allowed as Your designed plan for me. Oh Father, thank you, thank you! You have done so much and given so much. I want to always have an attitude of gratitude, falling at your feet and giving glory, honor and thanksgiving to You, my Abba. Thank you Abba, thank you!
“Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One, give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son. And now, let the rich say I am poor, let the poor say I am rich, because of what the Lord has done for us, Give thanks. Give thanks.” Maranatha Music
“Praise the Lord! For He has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” Psalm 28:6-7.
dianne