Mystery of Gratitude

There is a mystery to gratitude.

I taught my kids to say thank-you when they were young, even when gramma gave them striped socks instead of a Star Wars figure.  So it sounds like learning the art of fake gratitude, to be courteous but dishonest.  Not so.  My point was – “you have feet to wear them, so love the striped socks.”

And so ~ they grew up to be generous and grateful humans.  Every one of them . . .

I love Thanksgiving – it’s woven throughout the Bible.  The apostle Paul understood. He began most of his letters with a thank-you for faith. And he instructed us to “give thanks in all circumstances” – spoken by a godly guy who had a shipwreck of a life, and at the time was confined by dark prison walls and chains too tight.

Gratitude dispels darkness.

If we say ‘thank you” before we feel it – eventually the heart will catch up.  Thankfulness is a command, but a choice, not only for the grace in the face moments but the grace that’s harder to find that sustains us. Holiday life can make the darkness surface for many people.  While some are celebrating abundance, others may find it hard to get out of bed in the morning.

How do we live out gratitude when we’re struggling in our space?

And how can we live out our thank-you during the other eleven months rather than taking a November pause because we’re “expected to” –or question that we should pause at all?

We live in a culture that challenges ideas and tradition to change history, but the personal stories we tell around our table matter.  It’s how we pass around our history.  When we gather with friends and family, we are expressing our gratitude to God and for one another.  So, it’s a great tradition . . .

If you’re facing this festive season with a not-so-festive-not-yet from God, please believe that it doesn’t mean that He is not moving in your life.  You are seen and you are known.

The key to restoration this season is to own the mystery of gratitude that shields us from the emptiness or bitterness.  If you will take inventory of this past year, it can transform your inner landscape with hope. I pray that you (and I) see the mystery written all over our soul.

And may we be reminded — eternity-assurance supersedes the middle moment, even when it looks like striped socks.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. 

Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

For the Lord is good.  His kindness is everlasting.

And His faithfulness to all generations. 

Psalm one hundred