Little Miss Madelyn continues to teach me about recognizing the gifts around me. The other night she became incredibly excited about the moon shining through the evening clouds. For a brief moment, the moon became ours. I smiled for hours, thinking about how God created the moon for many reasons, one being for the two of us on a summer night. I'll be more aware of the moon, thanking God for giving us the gift to see it.
When we take time to be aware of what we've received, we're more grateful and appreciative, seeing life more for what it is to be---a sacred and holy gift. It seems to me that the stuff, the good and the bad circumstances, block our vision of what really matters. Gratefulness changes the way we see and respond to life.
As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan (Luke 17: 12-16, NIV).
Jesus healed ten lepers; however only one out of the ten lepers thanked Jesus for their healing. And, that particular one, was considered an outcast as a leper and as a Samaritan. Luke mentions it in his writing because the Jewish people considered the Samaritans to be unclean. And, before we cast a stone at the ancient Jews, we too have a system that attaches a label on an individual indicating their worth by their background, power, position, and possessions. And, yet, it was the one considered less worthy who took the time to thank Jesus. I'm sure each of the ten lepers were excited, relieved, and very grateful for their healing; however, they went on their way without thanking the One who gave them the gift of new life.
It makes sense that humility is a part of gratefulness. We really are blind to God's great generosity until we humble ourselves.
Recognize God's great generosity.
Be aware of what you've received.
Give thanks morning and night.
And . . . when the moon is out . . . remember God put it there for you.
Be grateful for things like the moon.
Learning to Kickstart the day grateful for the gifts of life . . . like the moon.
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)
When we take time to be aware of what we've received, we're more grateful and appreciative, seeing life more for what it is to be---a sacred and holy gift. It seems to me that the stuff, the good and the bad circumstances, block our vision of what really matters. Gratefulness changes the way we see and respond to life.
When you get down to it, the most courageous and faithful people are the ones who have an attitude of gratefulness and appreciation.Consider.
As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan (Luke 17: 12-16, NIV).
Jesus healed ten lepers; however only one out of the ten lepers thanked Jesus for their healing. And, that particular one, was considered an outcast as a leper and as a Samaritan. Luke mentions it in his writing because the Jewish people considered the Samaritans to be unclean. And, before we cast a stone at the ancient Jews, we too have a system that attaches a label on an individual indicating their worth by their background, power, position, and possessions. And, yet, it was the one considered less worthy who took the time to thank Jesus. I'm sure each of the ten lepers were excited, relieved, and very grateful for their healing; however, they went on their way without thanking the One who gave them the gift of new life.
It makes sense that humility is a part of gratefulness. We really are blind to God's great generosity until we humble ourselves.
Recognize God's great generosity.
Be aware of what you've received.
Give thanks morning and night.
And . . . when the moon is out . . . remember God put it there for you.
Be grateful for things like the moon.
Learning to Kickstart the day grateful for the gifts of life . . . like the moon.
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Carlisle Palmer © 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)