When We are Thankful, we take less for granted. We are happier, more generous, more appreciative, etc. From the time we are born we were taught little phrases of respect and gratitude, such as ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. A toddler’s inner nature is to take and not give! E.g. “Mine” is one of the first new words when we begin to learn how to talk.
Growing up as a twin I think we fought over every toy, game, and puzzle because it was ‘mine’! We had to learn how to share and if we didn’t well mom would take the game or toy away until we learned how to be thankful and share. (I Think I’m still learning this lesson especially with the TV remote!)
Selfishness, stinginess, greed, etc. are attitudes most of us still experience even as adults. We learn how to manipulate at such a young age to get what we want. This time of year kids become sweeter and nice because “Santa Claus is coming to Town!”
What I have learned about gratitude and being thankful:
It helps me to be more generous and respectful. In difficult times and circumstances, we can focus on God and thanking Him, even in our losses of suffering and grief. We may not like what we are going through, but our attitude and trust in the Lord gives us the strength and grace to move forward in spite of our circumstances. This teaches us that God is in control of our lives and does care, even when it hurts.
It helps me to appreciate the little things in life. How about you? You may not have much in material things or wealth, but are you grateful for everything? Have you ever been thankful for a hot shower or the switch that puts the lights on?
It helps me to be considerate of others when I’m thankful. How about letting that mother with two hyper kids or a senior citizen with a shopping cart go before you in the checkout line. We really do not know what other people are going through or what burdens they are carrying.
It helps me to give and share to the less fortunate and those experiencing hardship, especially these past couple of years.
“In everything give thanks for this is the will of God concerning you in Jesus Christ” 1 Thess. 5:18
“Enter His gates with a song of thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, bless and praise His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy and lovingkindness are everlasting, His faithfulness [endures] to all generations”.
Psalms 100:4-5 AMP
Have a grateful and bountiful weekend my friend!
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Published by Andy
Greetings! My name is Andy Provitola and I live in New England on the south shore between Boston and the beautiful Cape Cod region.
The purpose of my blogging and writing is to encourage you in your journey here on planet earth. Life is full of pressing issues and problems and my desire is to discover a place for peace, hope, healing, and contentment. I am a follower of Jesus Christ – God’s one and only Son of God and discovered these truths along my own personal journey.
Having discovered a personal relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ does not mean I have to be religious to attain the rewards of heaven. The fact is God provides grace for us and accepts us as we are in His image. In other words, we cannot attain heaven or life eternal on our own, but by God’s loving grace and no merit of our own.
My goal is to continue to find a balance of life from a spiritual and practical perspective with a purpose to please and glorify God in all that I do because of His ‘Gift of Grace’.
God is not transcendent and so far away that he is out of reach with humanity. God desires that His presence lives within us and not just in the galaxies and the universe. Experiencing the unconditional love of God has been so rewarding and while discovering the truth and purpose for my life. Moving forward in this life is not a sprint, but a marathon when it comes to this race here on earth.
I am blogging because I find it is a good way to connect in a much more effective and efficient way when it comes to communicating and interacting with with people that I do not know. Blogging and writing challenges me and also stretches me specifically in my thoughts, my mind, my emotions, and my spiritual life to live a vertical relation with God and a horizontal relationship with others.
There will be a variety of topics and subjects to address including youth, young adults, family, singles, seniors, relationships, etc. Some of the topics will include God’s creation and power, depression, loneliness, suicide, hope, healing, setbacks, financial matters, business, stress, anxiety, care, encouragement, and so much more
I would like to connect with all walks of life, ethnicity, culturally, other religions, socio-economics, and more
I am currently writing a book and several memoirs about my own life and journey . The journey begins at a young age growing up in Malden, Massachusetts, specifically Maplewood Square to where I am today. I became paralyzed from the waist down as a senior in high school and I share how my life changed for the better!
“But I do not consider my life as something of value or dear to me, so that I may [with joy] finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus. To testify faithfully of the good news of God’s [precious undeserved] grace [which makes us free of guilt of sin and grants us eternal life]. Acts 20:24 Amplified Version
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