Cultivating a Heart of Gratitude > What God Has Been Teaching Me Lately
If I’m being honest, which is something I want to be on here, this past couple of months has been hard for me in the whole gratitude category. We’ve moved to a new home, new area, Landon got a new job and many things that make me feel grounded and at home changed. I used to think I was good with change and could just go with the flow, but the past couple of ‘major’ life changes (having Niah, job change, and somewhat major move) has opened my eyes to see that I don’t really love change as much as I thought.
Maybe it is because I am getting older or have more responsibilities, but change is hard and the past couple of months, I’ve let it hardness harden my own heart to the many blessings around me. And what I’ve been learning and the Lord is slowly opening up my eyes to see is that an ungrateful spirit can hinder us all from tasting the Lord’s goodness. It is embarrassing, really, to admit and realize that I’ve been struggling with an ungrateful heart attitude, but I know this isn’t a ‘me’ problem, it’s a human problem. And with this Thanksgiving season, around the corner, I am praying for the Lord to still my heart and open up my eyes to all the good things He has given me and provided for our family. A safe, warm home. An amazing husband and sweet son. A wonderful church body to be apart of. A healthy body to run. Awesome clients who I am helping train. A great coach who is helping me train for my own personal, run goals. An amazing extended family. And most of all Jesus – who is always enough.
And when I take time to rest and reflect on the goodness of God’s many blessings He’s poured into my life, I realize that I have no room to grumble or complain or have an ungrateful spirit.
A few verses I’ve been mediating on are.
“The fear of the Lord leads to life and whoever has it rests satisfied.” Proverbs 19:23
“Godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6
“He has promised, ‘never will I leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:6
And it’s in the verses, that I can find hope and joy and gratitude. Because, honestly, it’s really that I just need to take a step back and see the grand, beautiful big picture. When I think about how much Jesus loves me that He sent His own son to love me and die for me and has on top of everything else, given me so much – how could I ever complain. And yet, I do, still and that’s where the beauty of grace comes.
So, this Thanksgiving I am working on cultivating a grateful, humble heart. Realizing that all good things come from above, ‘with whom there is no variation or change.’
Praise the Lord for his ever constant, never giving up love which He daily shows toward such a back and forth one such as me.
Happy thanksgiving week friends. May our hearts be filled with joy this Thanksgiving and gratitude for all the good gifts He’s given us.