Attitude of Gratitude – Week 3
My friend Holly and I would love to challenge you this month to have an attitude of gratitude in all that you do. Choose to intentionally give thanksgiving for every day blessings we all overlook sometimes. We hope you will consider joining us each Thursday in November by linking up your post about why you are grateful this month or how you have chosen to have an attitude of gratitude for yourself and others.
Week 1 was all about choosing joy and Week 2 were my thoughts on what it really means to pray continually and make God part of our every day. This week let’s hit the end of this verse and talk about giving thanks in all circumstances.
We have all had those moments in life where we can choose to turn to God or choose to blame God. Giving thanks in all circumstances does not mean we are thankful for the actual circumstance itself but instead we show our thanks by trusting God and turning to him for our strength.
Sometimes for me it is so easy to look back at things which happened in my life and easily see that God was there to carry me through although I may not have always given thanks for his presence at the time. In those times my response to a situation might have been anger, jealousy, bitterness as I failed to find the joy and blessing of a savior who was yearning to have me turn it all over and trust him.
For me as I have gotten older and hopefully a little wiser, I have been more willing to accept God’s love for me. Accepting His grace and knowing no matter what the circumstance He will be there to comfort me and grant me strength to carry forward has allowed me to open my heart. Through Him, there will be some good come from every circumstance. It may not change my disappointment or an aching heart but it will give me the hope I need to continue to move forward.
A few years ago I traveled with Holly and another sweet friend to NYC for Holly’s 40th birthday. We had an amazing time but on our last day a snow storm blew through and our flight was delayed not once, not twice but three times. As we waited for our flight we came across a young mom and her three year old and she was clearly distraught. While we had been at the airport for 4-5 hours this mom had been there the entire day and literally we watched as she just sat down in the middle of the walkway and was in tears.
My friend Ginny jumped into action and began to find out her situation and attempt to help her and at some point literally ran with her to another gate and took over convincing the gate attendant to get her on that plane. While Ginny talked to her my friend Holly prayed over her. We were not happy about being delayed but we were put directly there for a purpose.
Shortly thereafter we boarded our flight and were on the runway when the pilot came over the intercom and let us know our flight had been cancelled. It was 2am and we were exhausted and the airline staff was not really clear on the what we needed to do. We split up and I happened to be at the counter with two brothers; one 15 and responsible for his younger brother. He was clearly panicked and really worried about his little brother who had a social anxiety disorder plus he really wanted to get home for his mom’s birthday (sweet boy). I kept him with me and we worked on the problem together and then I prayed with them.
The airport was crazy, we were all exhausted and our only option was to be on standby. I really had little hope but we all got on a plane that next morning; the 3 of us and the boys. When I saw their faces on that plane we both teared up I was so happy. Our plane was the last one out for several more days y’all.
Do I believe God had his hand in this entire story; I absolutely do. We could have turned our frustration to anger and taken it out on the airline staff but instead we trusted God was in control and looked to find thanks through our circumstance.
Last week I shared my friend Michelle with you in my Queen Bees post. I am not sure I can find another breathing example of someone who has chosen to give thanks in all circumstances to the full extent of this verse.
I hope in the coming week you will work to give thanks in all circumstances.
Be Joyful; Pray; Give Thanks
I am sure to be tested to my limit on this one as I lost my drivers license on the flight to California and am hoping I find a way to give thanks for this circumstance!
We would love to hear how you are celebrating an Attitude of Gratitude. Time to link up! Only rule is you only share original content and share with an Attitude of Gratitude! Please show us a little gratitude and link back to our blog.
