The Spiritual Practice of Gratitude
For those of you who live outside of the United States, Thanksgiving is a national holiday for those of us in the United States. It always falls on the fourth Thursday of November, and many of us get a four-day weekend! (Something for which the children, and their teachers, are always thankful!)
But any month is one where we should engage in the spiritual practice of gratitude. Being grateful. Thanking those who have given to us. Appreciating the blessing of being alive. And, most of all, the gift of knowing Jesus.
A few years ago, one of my very best friends was simultaneously battling two different forms of cancer. His course of treatment included lots of things I would never want to experience. And one of the most common statements I heard from him during that trial was “All Is Gift.”
What could that possibly mean?
We all experience the tragedies that resulted from sin and the fall, like death, disease, and divorce. These traumatic seasons aren’t from God, but he turns even these bad things into gifts. “Every detail of our lives is continually woven together for good, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose” (Romans 8:28, TPT).
I know many of you, even as your read this, are going through something really tough. I understand, and I’m not making light of those struggles. In fact, our staff gathers monthly to pray for one another and for members of our community. We would consider it an honor to pray for you, if you would let us know your requests (tandrade@kidzatheart.org).
I can’t claim to automatically see hard times as a “gift” like my friend does. But I’m becoming more aware of how much God uses those times to grow me. I want to see his hand in all that comes my way.
How do we learn to call everything – even the hard times – gifts? By practicing.
This month, whether your country celebrates the holiday or not, let’s engage in the spiritual practice of gratitude, being thankful, recognizing that, for the Christian, all is gift.
For you and those you will be with this month:
Google “thankful verses in the Bible” and make a list. Assign one verse to each person who will be at your Thanksgiving table — or at another meal this month. After dinner, and before dessert, during that “pause” in a large meal, share the pages of verses and have each dinner guest read one. Use this as a prayer of thanksgiving, the practice of gratitude, as you give thanks to God.
Check out KidZ at Heart’s KidZ at Home video and resource guide entitled “Staying Thankful.” How do we maintain a habit of being thankful? Adam Ormord (LifePoint Resources, Aja Carr-Favors (non-profit attorney), and Gordon West (KidZ at Heart) share some ideas for you, your family, your “tribe.” Our resource guide will give you activities to do with the children in your life for which you are thankful!