November 28, 2011 Devotional

Attitude of Gratitude

"I once was distraught because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet." - Unknown
 
Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, the holiday season is in full gear! And although this is the most wonderful time of the year, we WILL have an opportunity to grumble and not be grateful. Imagine this scenario: You're out shopping for a gift, and you have to be somewhere in ten minutes. Once you're in line at your favorite department store, the person in front of you needs a price check. Great!!! As you rush to your car, you spill your Starbuck's coffee on you. UGHH!! Then you seem to hit every red light.   REALLY??!!! Needless to say, you finally arrive at your destination late and stained!
 
Most of us would have found a very opportune moment somewhere in that situation to grumble or complain. It's easy to do, no doubt, but this season let's keep our focus on the right things. Grumbling always begins when our focus if off. Even in times when it seems that nothing could be worse, there's always a reason to be grateful.
 
That's exactly what the Israelites did right after God had delivered them from bondage and performed miracles right before their very eyes. Their focus was not on the fact that God was trying to establish them as a nation or take them to the promise land. No, they were focusing on where they were at that very moment. They were thinking about all the great food they used to eat in Egypt! How silly does that sound? But isn't that the same thing we do? Sure, because we're human too! It's easy to lose sight of the big picture.
 
I challenge you to take a moment today and list five things you are grateful for. Write them down and then remember them when you have an opportunity to complain this season. God has done so much for us. We do have so much to be thankful for: family, health, our salvation, our home...the list could go on and on! Let's create an atmosphere of gratitude, not grumbling, in our homes, work places, and our churches. That choice will make our holiday season so much merrier!
 
Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song." Psalm 95:1-2NIV

Sarah Sauseda

Faith family Church
Victoria, TX
www.faithfamilyvictoria.org