RYLISMS

November 24
Thankful for a Million Things
“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1Th_5:18)
Give thanks. Well, of course – only a self-indulgent fool would fail to do so. But seriously, stop and deliberately think about all for which you can be thankful. Sure there are the big things – health and happiness; salvation; food on the table; kids who are well adjusted and doing fine for themselves; and so on.
But what about the little things? The otherwise ordinary things that often go completely unnoticed and unacknowledged?
Here’s a challenge – each day compile a new list of at least fifty things you are truly thankful for; you will find it difficult at first, but then a wonderful thing will happen. The lights will come on and you will begin to see all that you have in your life that give you endless reasons to be thankful.
Stuff like – toothpaste in the morning; shampoo that clears up dandruff; a neighbor’s dog that does not bark all night long; gas in your car; a working computer; downloads that don’t take hours to install; socks; a note from a friend; an opportunity to serve somewhere in a manner that matters; appliances that work when you push the button…and on, and on, and on.
The net result of deliberately engaging in this practice will soften your heart and transform you from a default grump to a giver of thanks. Your attitude will change your outlook, and carry you forward and upward into the day. Instead of hustling and bustling, grinding and grumbling – your life will become marked by praise and gratitude.
The truth of the matter is that there are a million things we each can be thankful for, and by giving thanks our lives will be enriched in great measure. And that’s a million and one things a thank ful heart can find.