I bought Robert and I the 9 year series TOUCHED BY AN ANGLE for our anniversary this year. As we watch night after night, the interaction between mortals and angels is so fascinating. We are constantly reminded of God's love for us. In every episode either Tess, Monica, or Andrew tells someone that "God loves you."
That's what I'm most thankful for--that God loves me! He loves you too. He even loves the evil people in the world as that wasn't His plan for anyone's life. Hatred gets in and takes over and it seems like love has died. The thing that I know that is OH SO WONDERFUL is that love is STRONGER than hate!!
I'm most thankful, then, for the love of my life. Here's to Robert--my husband for nearly 40 years. He's been such a wonderful husband, father, and now grandfather to our whole family. I love you, sweetie!
2. The Framework for Thanksliving
Our habit of gratitude forms the framework for thanksliving. Authentic gratitude builds on the foundation of Christ. We receive all things from His hand.
We must learn from the Israelites whose gratitude was wavering and conditional—thankful when God delivered them, but murmuring when He didn’t. Grace rather teaches us to actively pursue and practice gratitude. We count our past and present blessings and are receptive to what God is doing in and through our lives in the present.
We are grateful not only for what we have and can do, but also for so many things that did not touch our lives in a negative way—burdens, hurts and troubles. And with maturity, we will even learn to be grateful for the trials, knowing Romans 8:28 is true: “… all things work together for good….”
“No matter what our circumstances,” Dr. David Jeremiah said, “we can find a reason to be thankful.” J. I. Packer says much the same: “The habit of celebrating the greatness and graciousness of God yields an endless flow of thankfulness, joy and zeal.”
Gratitude comes hard in our entitlement culture; we often have an ungrateful mindset. But we must teach our souls the truth, and choose thanksliving. “Gratitude is a decision of the will,” Pastor Chuck Swindoll said. “Deciding to be thankful is no easy task. It takes work.”
We must learn to desire the Giver more than His gifts, and thank Him for His steadfast love and goodness. He is a “good, good Father,” and our daily habit should be thanking Him for the small things, the simple pleasures.
PS. Here's another version.
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