CHOOSING GRATITUDE

 

            I am continuing my reading of A Generous Life: 28 Days of Devotion from Horizons Stewardship, where it has a bit of scripture for each day, as well as a story.

            The title of one of the days was Choosing Gratitude. The scripture for the day was from 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18: Make sure no one repays a wrong with a wrong, but always pursue the good for each other and everyone else. Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

            This struck me, because I had just been thinking, as I drove to the store, that people just don’t know how to drive! I wished a police car were nearby and would stop them! I was just so frustrated. I’d like to think that it’s not just me. But what if, instead of hoping for punishment or someone to put them in their place, I thought:

            Maybe they’re having a bad day.

            Maybe their child is sick and they’re rushing to the doctor

            Maybe I should pray for them instead of hoping for a punishment

            What does it mean to not repay a wrong with a wrong, and express gratitude instead of fear? How do we embrace a lifestyle that includes an attitude of kindness and generosity even in the face of unfairness?

            We have to align our words and actions so that we can say (AND mean) living a Christian life. We are told to love our neighbor, and that means the people that cut us off on the highway; those that are rude in the store, and even those we disagree with in church meetings.

            The author, Aimee A Cole-Laramore said this: “how different would our world be if we reflected on the intentionality of scripture to remind us to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all situations? In a complex world where bullying, meanness, selfishness, and greed exist, we must choose to respond from a place of gratitude and actively pursue good for everyone.”

            Think about how to express gratitude in your current circumstances!

           

            If you wish more information on anything you’ve been reading about, please feel free to contact me at (315) 427-3668 or sranousacctg@twcny.rr.com or susanranous@unyumc.org.  I’d be happy to help or answer any questions.