DAILY DEVOTION
Gratitude
with an Attitude
By
Cathy Irvin
Staff Writer
CBN.com –
I think about the seasons that are coming upon us. Thanksgiving
and Christmas displays are everywhere you turn these days. I really
like holidays. They are times when people share conversation,
laughter, dinners, and gifts.
Although I look forward to my time with family
and friends, there are some concerns. What if someone doesn't
like what they get as a gift? What if the dinner I prepare is
not to everyone's liking? What will I do in these situations?
The thought came to me that it really is a matter of the heart,
so I guess we all need to check our "Tudes" (that's slang for
attitude).
As a worship leader I sometimes lead the song,
"Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart." In this song it says, "Give
thanks unto the Holy One for He's given Jesus Christ His Son."
If we are grateful to God for what He has done for us, and given
us, then everything else shouldn't really matter. We can enjoy
one another's company and thank God for family and friends, no
matter how big or small our gatherings are or the contents of
a gift.
Jesus is the best gift we could ever receive
or give. When we bow our heads to give thanks over a big fat turkey,
a juicy ham, or a small chicken, or when we open a gift, we need
to have our hearts right with God and be grateful.
There will be so many people this year facing
an empty place at their tables or around a Christmas tree because
of September 11th, 2001. We need to pray for those families and
then our wants won't be such a big concern. There are people fighting
for their lives and praying for protection over in the Middle
East and at home.
Every year most of us say we will have a change
of heart and be more loving and giving. NOW IT'S TIME! That is
what I hear the Lord say in my spirit as I pray for others near
and far. It's time to be concerned for others. We should reach
out in any way we can. It isn't that any of us want to be selfish
or into ourselves, but we have to try harder so that the world
sees the compassion, the mercy, and the love of God. This is how
they can get the best gift from us, "Jesus."
He can be found wrapped up in a smile, an
encouraging word, or a baked apple pie for your neighbor. That
will do wonders for you and them. I am going to work on an attitude
adjustment and be more grateful. Will you join me? The season
of giving is just around the corner.
But thanks be to God, who made us his captives and leads
us along in Christ's triumphal procession. Now wherever we go
he uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Good
News like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a fragrance presented
by Christ to God (2 Corinthians 2:14, 15 NLT).
Send
Cathy your comments
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