The Gratitude Attitude
John Clardy - 11/26/08

Ps 107:1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Ps 107: 8-9
8          Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
9          For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

Did you know that the English word thanks come for the same root word as think?  Hmm! Maybe if we were more thinkful, we would be more thankful!  No matter how bad something is, if you think, you will find something for which to be thankful for.

A man was invited to dinner at the house of a recently married friend. Though he was complimentary to the new bride, the truth was that the meal was not very good.  At the end of the meal the new husband said humorously, “Let us pause to give thanks.”   The guest asked, “You say grace after the meal?” The friend replied, “We are still alive aren't we?" 

Paul warns us that in the last days perilous times will come! Not only does he warn of their coming, he also tells us the reason for such dangerous times!  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy… 2 Timothy 3:2          

When have we ever seen such a time of selfishness and covetousness or a time of unrestrained pride and disobedience?  This is an unholy generation! But notice who the next door neighbor of "unholy" is -- "unthankful!” How many of us are rubbing shoulders with unholiness because we are unthankful?

The following letters were printed in the Dear Abby newspaper column just a few days apart:

"Dear Abby, Happiness is knowing your parents won't ground you if you come home a little late.  Happiness is having your own bedroom.  Happiness is having your own telephone.  Happiness is something I don't have!" Signed, Healthy, but unhappy and ungrateful.

"Dear Abby, Happiness is being able to see.  Happiness is being able to hear.  Happiness is being able to walk and talk.  Unhappiness is reading the letter from a 15 years old girl who can do all these things and still say she is unhappy!  I can talk, I can see, I can hear, but I can't walk." Signed, 13 and Happy and Grateful for life.

If we are not careful, we will fall into a frame of mind that gauges happiness and gratitude upon the basis of "Have" and "Have Not"   But a man’s life does not consist of the abundance of things that he possesses. It is not what we have, but what we enjoy that constitutes our abundance. 

My prayer this Thanksgiving is that we would be more thankful and more thankful!  Lord, deliver us from selfishness and un-holiness because of ingratitude! Let the gratitude attitude permeate our lives, for You alone satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.  Amen!

Wishing each of you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving!