Gratitude
Okay, so perhaps it’s a little cheesy… a little trite… maybe even a little hyper-spiritual sounding to some… but I love that quote that asks… What if you woke up today with only those things you thanked God for yesterday?
I love it because it reminds me to be a person who lives out of a heart of appreciation instead of expectation. I love it because I truly want to remember to thank God for all the blessings He has brought into my life. I love it because it encourages me as it challenges me.
My List
My list of what and who I am thankful for is far too long for a simple blog like this. I cannot even capture half of the fullness I feel in my heart because of the abundance with which the Lord has blessed me. And it’s not just money or material things.
I am indeed grateful for a nice house, but tonight I’m grateful for the heating unit that is keeping us warm in that house. I’m grateful for food, of course, but I’m even more grateful for a loving family with whom to share those snacks and meals.
I’m grateful that I’ve heard the good news about how Jesus came to this world to make a way to change lives forever… and I’m also grateful that I’ve had the privilege of visiting the town where the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would bear the Son of God, as well as the town where He was born.
Undeserving
You see, I didn’t deserve any of these blessings, gifts or privileges. I’ve not been perfect… or even close to it. But it seems that even this makes me more grateful… and so I’m grateful for the ability to recognize that fact.
Gratitude makes me okay with getting little or much under the tree… makes me okay with turkey and dressing or tamales and retried beans on the table Christmas Day… makes me okay with NFL or Hallmark Channel Christmas movies on the TV.
Since I don’t deserve any good I receive, everything good I receive is a bonus… lagniappe… a little something extra which I figure God threw in along with saving me just because He loves me. And for that… I’m grateful!
What are you grateful for? I’d love to hear… and so would the Lord.
allenchapin.com 
I’m grateful for a community of believers that lifts us up and supports us as we work overseas. It is so amazing to know that we have a team of hundreds. I am also grateful around this time of year because we get to have holiday celebrations with adopted families and new believers. Watching the new believer’s eyes light up as we sing carols is pretty amazing. It’s like when kids get up on Christmas morning to take part in all the day’s festivities.
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That’s so awesome! Thanks for sharing
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