November 23, 2005
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.
--Psalm 100
The poem below portrays someone who learned the true meaning of being thankful:
“Today upon a bus, I saw a lovely maid with golden hair.
I envied her — she seemed so gay, and how, I wished I were so fair.
When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle;
She had one foot and wore a crutch, but as she passed, a smile.
Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two feet and the world is mine.
When I stopped to buy some sweets, the lad who served me had such charm;
He seemed to radiate good cheer; his manner was so king and warm.
I said, “It’s nice to deal with you, such courtesy I seldom find.”
He turned and said, “Oh, thank you, sir.” And then I saw he was blind.
Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two eyes and the world is mine.
Then, when walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of blue;
He stood and watched the others play, it seemed he knew not what to do.
I stopped a moment, then I said, “Why do you join the others, dear?”
He looked ahead without a word, and then I knew he could not hear.
Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two ears and the world is mine.
With feet to take me where I’d go, with eyes to see the sunsets glow; with ears to hear what I would know. The world is mine; I am blessed indeed. Oh God, forgive me when I whine.”
Indeed, many of us are blessed beyond what we realize. Decide to cultivate a spirit of thanksgiving and gratitude in your life and to the Lord or you will live as a cynic full of anger, bitterness, arrogance, and pride.
CHOOSE YOUR POSITION TODAY — YOU CAN SPEND YOUR LIFE BEING HUMBLY GRATEFUL OR GRUMBLY HATEFUL.