An Attitude of Gratitude

The driver of the shuttle bus to the airport, Kevin, was a delightfully engaging man. He shared that he was a computer programmer but was driving parking lot shuttles since he had lost his job for the second time due to the technology industry collapse. His words and attitude belied his external circumstances as he talked about his deep appreciation for what he had and his wonderful wife and three children.

Kevin's attitude was so refreshing. Our contemporary culture teaches us that entitlement to the good life is our right and complaining is necessary if we don't think we are getting all we "deserve". But interestingly,

• Entitlement leads to -----> Complaining which leads to  ----->Unhappiness, and
• Acceptance/appreciation leads to  ----->Gratitude which leads to  -----> Contentment

As we neared my airport terminal, I asked Kevin, "You are amazing, what causes you to have such gratitude in the midst of all your difficulties?" He replied, "A deep faith in God."

For the follower of Jesus, gratitude is not an option -- it is a command that finds its origins in a trusting heart. On August 9,1712, a poem was published in the London Spectator by a Mr. Addison that begins,

"When all thy mercies, O my God, My rising soul surveys, Transported with the view, I'm lost in wonder, love and praise."

God desires our gratitude. In fact, the Bible (Romans 1:18-23) tells us that God's wrath is revealed to those who know God but fail to glorify Him and express thanks to Him.

"For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks for Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened." (Romans 1:21 NIV)

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, let us remember that contentment is more related to the condition of our hearts and less related to our external circumstances.

Sharing the journey with you,