Gratitude Affects Attitude

Being thankful changes us! One of my favorite Thanksgiving memories happened several years ago when I was asked to share in the program at our town’s Thanksgiving service held at the high school auditorium on Thanksgiving Eve. My youngest daughter was attending the high school; simultaneously, I was attending the weekly Moms in Touch meetings praying for the high school, our kids, their curriculum, and their teachers. I felt honored to represent this successful ministry in our little town and talk about it in the assembly. I saw the troubled kids who got help, the rebels who got caught because we prayed and the opportunities that arose to share our faith with our kids’ teachers. Those teachers knew we loved them and we wowed them with big fancy luncheons.

I polished my speech. I was enthusiastic and assumed that my excitement would ignite my audience and perhaps even increase our membership! However, time was running out and something was definitely lacking. I stopped and asked the Lord what was wrong. Was it me? Was it my message? God seemed silent. How do I sound less like a saleswoman and more like an anointed speaker motivating the audience?

I started listening to the local Christian radio station. “Three Days of Thanksgiving” featured Christians calling in and testifying to the faithfulness of God. Their lives were in shambles, but God was helping them supernaturally and their thankful hearts ministered to my spirit. I listened and cried and fell on my knees in awe of our God who rescues His people. Gratitude was amplified in the walls of my home and in my car as I tuned in every chance I got to the amazing testimonies of Jesus Christ working in everyday people’s lives. I became addicted to thanksgiving in the airwaves.

When I stood up at that assembly to speak on that Thanksgiving Eve, my message still contained the same facts, but my heart exploded with thankfulness to our God. The audience was touched and it had nothing to do with me or my ministry but because Thanksgiving is all about God. What resonated with my listeners was that God is alive and loves us, and we become changed when we express our gratitude.

I am excited to participate in two blog themes that generate thankfulness to our God this month. I don’t blog every day, but I read blogs every day and I know the dynamism of thanksgiving. It is contagious and affects our attitudes. It prepares our hearts for that special holiday.

Consider “It’s Not About Me November” hosted by Laura at www.Beholdinglory.com and also “30 Days of Thanksgiving; reflections of His Grace” hosted by Joan at www.reflectionsofhisgrace.com -- both on my sidebar.

Let’s explode the internet with thanksgiving!