“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
This last week, my daughter brought home her progress report. As I looked it over, my first thought was, “All As. Good. No problems here.” And then, I was ready to move on.
I had to give myself a mental head slap.
You see, I’m a fixer. I look for ways to fix problems, head off issues, and plan for eventualities. I want to be proactive. But if things are moving smoothly, then I tend to move on until I see something that does need my help.
In doing this, though, I’m overlooking something important. Not only am I not giving my daughter the credit she deserves for working hard and maintaining great grades, but I’m also taking for granted the motivation, intelligence, and perseverance that God has gifted my child with.
Taking our blessings for granted and not being grateful is hurtful. Ask anyone who has ever had their handmade gift receive a lukewarm “thank you.” How much worse is it to stare at a gift from God with a jaded eye?
My children, so far, have never had problems in school. And over the brief few years that they’ve been in the classroom, I’ve allowed myself to just expect that it will remain so. But, the fact is, that this can change at any time. One day, I may be dealing with teenage rebellion, learning struggles in my younger children, or emotional or physical issues that could make learning difficult.
Are there things in your life that you’ve begun to take for granted? Maybe your health, your financial situation, your children’s good behavior, or your husband’s love?
We can all get used to something if we have it for a while, good or bad. It’s part of what makes us adaptable and able to survive. Which is why we all need to step back and pay attention to these blessings that we have come to expect.
Thankfulness is not only an important part of our relationship with God and others, it is also an important part of us. Every time we intentionally thank God and those around us for what they offer us with love, we fill our hearts and minds with positivity, cutting off the chance for negative thoughts and feelings to burrow into us.
Gratitude is the antidote for anger, sadness, jealousy, and self-pity. Don’t allow the abundance of the gifts that come your way keep you from properly thanking the giver and seeing the value of that gift.
Have a lovely and gratitude-filled Monday!
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