A Grateful Heart

Rrrring! The body jerks, and a benumbed hand reaches across to silence the incessant noise. The ring of the alarm awakens us to another day of looking at watches, clocks, planners, calendars, cell phones, computers — all to keep us doing the thing we are supposed to be doing at the “time” we are to be doing it!

God even has appointed times for things both in history and days yet to come. There was an appointed time for Christ to come to earth. A time appointed for Him to die on the Cross and rise again. An appointed time for the Holy Spirit to descend. And, there is a time, which only the Father knows, when Christ will come again!

In our personal lives, God has “appointed times” for things. Letting His Spirit direct our lives is our surety — even while we wait on Him to move. The assurance that his ways are “higher than our ways” keeps us trusting the love of His heart even in trying days of testing. We know pure gold is His goal — so pure gold is what we desire to be.

The law of the harvest has it’s own “appointed times.” After the hard work of planting, the discipline of watering and fertilizing, then comes the joyful celebration time of harvesting! What joy there is in reaping a harvest — and when the harvest is eternal souls, what lasting joy!

There is one thing that is always in order. It doesn’t have to “wait” for an “appointed time.” Giving thanks. A thankful heart is a healthy heart to possess. It’s gratefulness overflows in all kinds of situations. Even in times of grief — times of hurting — times when clouds hide the gorgeous ray of the sun — somehow the grateful heart finds its way back to being thankful for something. It may have to look outside of a current situation to locate it, but somehow it finds a way to praise. It is purposed to be thankful.

Look around you for the people of a grateful heart. Find it in the willing smile, the oblivious whistle, the subconscious humming under their breath as they work — these are the people of a grateful heart.

Here am I — I’m joining the ranks

The ranks of the army that’s giving thanks—

Thanks for the blessings — the ray’s of sun,

Thanks for the good things God has done.

Here am I — I’m joining the ranks

The ranks of the army that’s learning thanks—

Through shadows and sometimes skies of gray,

Learning to find a way to praise.

Here am I — I’m learning to see

His way is always best for me—

Of this joy filled group I will be a part,

Those who have chosen a grateful heart.

By: Janene A. Dubbeld/FGG

Take it With You

“. . . Giving thanks always for all things to the God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. . .” Ephesians 5:20