Monday, November 27, 2023

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and ]not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

Psalm 100

Au and Au talk about gateways to gratitude. Even though there are several things that can erode our gratitude (e.g., envy, narcissism, comparisons, resentment, regret, etc.), there are some things that help us grasp gratitude. The authors say that our appreciation for anything wanes as we get used to it. The less we appreciate something, the less we are grateful for it.

The first gateway is deepening our appreciation for what we have been given. So, take a look around you. What things or people have you grown accustomed to and lost a sense of appreciation for? Maybe your pastor, a sister, a friend. Remember that any of the things or people we cherish can be gone in the next few seconds. You are owed nothing in life. Remember to savor what you have and thank God for it.

PRAYER: Dear God, I admit that I sometimes take for granted those blessings that are always there. At this moment: I say thank you. Holy Spirit, please remind me to be grateful for the things I may take for granted. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen

Au, W.,& Au, N. C. (2011). The Grateful Heart: Living the Christian Message. Paulist Press.