"Developing" an Attitude of Gratitude

 

This morning, as I nestled in a blanket reading my Bible, I looked up to see a pair of goldfinches perched on my zinnias, pecking so hard seeds scattered. These birds tease me. They appear at the feeders for a day, then they’re gone. After leaving the zinnias, two of these “flying butterflies” landed on my clothesline. I am blessed.

A few weeks ago, early one morning, a son and daughter-in-law arrived, arms loaded with geraniums, vines and lobelias. They filled our planters and placed them around our home. I am blessed.

Feelings of gratitude counteract the dreariness of everyday life. Last week my hubby had four doctors’ appointments. Each time we drove 45 minutes to the city, spent an hour or two in waiting rooms and examining rooms, then drove home. By then the day is gone, and I need a nap. There are plenty of reasons to worry about my husband’s health. But the doctors assured us Bill is as healthy as he can be for this age and stage. I am blessed.

 I want to develop a consistent attitude of gratitude. In scripture we read the story of Jesus healing ten lepers. Only one, a Samaritan, came back to thank Him. “Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?’” (Luke 17:17-18).

 Samaritans were considered half-breeds because they were Jews who intermarried with foreigners. And leprosy was an insidious disease. It not only ate away your flesh, but it also ate away your social life. Friends avoided you. If someone approached you, you shouted “unclean” so they would stay away. But to Jesus, these men were precious souls, created by God, and He healed them. However, only one returned to give thanks.

 Perhaps the others were so excited they simply forgot. They ran home to tell wives and children. Maybe they killed a fatted calf and danced in the streets. Imagine the joy! But imagine the disappointment of Jesus when they failed to thank Him. And imagine the disappointment of God when we take everyday blessings—sunshine and rain/health and energy/friends and family—for granted.

 Some people keep gratitude journals. They jot down blessings at the end of the day, and they savor the memories. A hug from a grandchild, a rainbow, a blooming geranium. A great idea.

 “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name” (Psalm 100:4 NIV).

 In THE HOUR THAT CHANGES THE WORLD, Dick Eastman suggests praying in five-minute segments for an hour and spending one of those segments thanking God.

 The Blessings of Giving Thanks:

 1.     Thanksgiving lightens my heart and brightens my day. It’s easy to focus on little annoyances—a cranky baby, a husband who squeezes the wrong end of the toothpaste, potatoes that shrivel in the microwave. But it’s just as easy to find blessings in such moments. Many women long to be mothers yet are denied that privilege. Many widows long to have back their husbands—messy toothpaste tube and all. Many people long to eat potatoes, shriveled or not.

 2.     Thanksgiving blesses God and others. Besides thanking God, I thank caregivers. That brightens their day and gets me over the annoyance of a long wait. People like people who appreciate them.

 3.     Thanksgiving helps me sleep better. If I’m feeling down, expressing thanks as I drift off fosters within me a more positive attitude as I appreciate the little things of life—a tasty dinner, a hot shower, a good book.

 It may take time. My father used to develop photos in the “darkroom” of our home, our bathroom without windows. On rare occasions, he let me watch him take the film from our camera, emerge it in fluid, then hang it up. At first the picture appeared as a faint image, but after it dried, it was a beautiful photograph. (The photo above shows our old Kodak camera while the photo below shows me by a peony bush and my sister Marie posing like a movie star.) The process took time. And so does developing an attitude of gratitude.

 Start your day looking out your window and not only looking but SEEING the wonder of God’s creation. Thank God, and keep your eyes open for people to thank. Your day will go better, no matter what happens. Guaranteed.

                                                  

Book Review: Decoding Greatness

 

A fascinating read. The book applies to business but includes illustrations that inspire writers and speakers and could even be applied to personal life. The author explains how to examine (decode) something you admire—whether it’s a writing, a speaker or something that has brought someone success in any field. Then he explains how to dissect their approach to understand what makes it tick. However, you don’t just “copy” the elements; you insert your own style/behavior/etc.

The subtitle explains the content: How the Best in the World Reverse Engineer Success. Chapters deal with topics such as visualization and talking to experts to better appreciate their approach.

 I especially loved the stories. The can-you-top-this competition of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. The transformation of Barach Obama’s speaking style. The song-writing of Roy Orbison. The journey of artist Vincent van Gogh. Even the careful study and planning of a master bank robber.

 Here’s an interesting nugget: When groups of students were scored after one group read material that was clearly printed and another group read material that was blurred or faint, the latter had better recall. Evidently difficulty in reading helps knowledge stick. Who knew? And that’s just one example from the book.

 Published in 2021 by Simon & Schuster, the book is quite readable and very informative. I highly recommend it for anyone seeking to better themselves in any area of their lives.

 

Book Review: The Common Rule

 

The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction by Justin Whitmel Earley

 This book encourages you to live life intentionally. By developing four daily and four weekly habits, you can build consistency that leads to a more satisfying lifestyle. And not only does Earley explain this program of habits, but he offers variations to fit all walks of life and lifestyles.

 I enjoyed the author’s illustrations from his own life. A former missionary to China, he is now a mergers and acquisitions lawyer. Married with four sons, he knows the stresses and distractions of life in the 21^st century: the busyness, the pressures, the technology, to mention just a few.

 The book includes very helpful end-of-chapter detailed summations of Earley’s suggestions. It also includes charts of various strategies to help you develop the habits as individuals or even as a congregation.

 Published by IVP Books, Earley reminds us what is important to live a balanced life. While I am familiar with and practice some of the habits, I found the book extremely interesting and quite practical. This is another book I highly recommend.

 

 

 

Grow Instead of Groan

 

GROW INSTEAD OF GROAN

             Watching a television commercial, I learned a better way to clean strawberries. I had always held the berry in my left hand and plucked off the green cap with a knife held in my right hand. But now I place the berry on a cutting board and just slice off the top. It’s faster and saves me from repeatedly cutting into my thumb.

             We need to be open to new ways of thinking. For instance, we may think of the fruit of the spirit in the same way we think of spiritual gifts—something “poured into us” from God. But fruit grows over a period of time. Take strawberries, for instance. Young plants must be spaced to allow room for “runners.” The ground must be fertilized and watered. The plants must be protected by mulch and even sprayed with water on frosty nights. Growing strawberries takes hard work.

             Growing the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control—also takes hard work. (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV).

             Take love, for instance. I’ve always been fascinated by cultures where parents choose spouses for their children. I’ve read that such marriages are quite successful, but how can that be? The young people haven’t “fallen in love.” But they evidently develop love as they act loving toward one another. Rather than following the desires of their sinful natures (Galatians 5:17), they love God and want to please God. And that “grows” the fruit of love.

 Joy develops as we choose to live on the sunny side of the street. We stop complaining and start looking for the good in situations. Yes, maybe that co-worker is cranky. Perhaps if I buy her a cup of coffee, I can chat with her, get to know her and better understand her. That will certainly give me joy. In the book of Philippians Paul referenced “joy” 16 times—and he grew that fruit of joy while chained in prison.

 Peace grows as I develop a deeper trust in God. And that trust develops only through trials that rattle me. So I need a strategy. For me, I read from GRACELACED, a book that never fails to settle my restless spirit. The readings and art remind me that God is in control, He is with me and He is for me. Those readings water the fruit of peace.

 Then there’s patience. Some translations use the word “long-suffering.” How would we even develop patience if we were not forced to wait in long checkout lines? My sister was once kept waiting for hours by her ophthalmologist. When the nurse stuck her head in the door and asked if she was all right, my sister said, “I’m cold and I’m hungry and I’m getting cranky.” They brought her a sandwich. She expressed herself without malice and received kindness in return. We work on developing patience, because God has been patient with us.

 You become a kinder person by showing kindness to others. Whether it’s paying for the car behind you at a fast food restaurant or taking strawberries you’ve picked to a neighbor, kindness nourishes more kindness. Invite someone to dinner, and they may invite you back. And if they don’t, that’s even better. You then develop unconditional kindness.

 Goodness means doing good to others as opportunity arises: Visit the sick. Send cards. Help a neighbor clean up a tree branch. Goodness springs from a heart that loves God and others.

 Faithfulness simply means being committed to God and to others. How about gentleness? “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near” (Philippians 4:5 NIV). If we could just visualize Jesus standing near, would we use that tone of voice? Would we grumble and grouch at our spouses? I’m sure we’d be more gracious. It takes resolve, but we can train ourselves not to let that mean-spirited comment pop out of our mouths.

 And finally, there’s self-control. To me self-control is the fruit basket that contains the other fruits. Don’t love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and gentleness all demand self control?

 Like I found a new way to de-cap strawberries, change your thinking about the fruit of the Spirit. Next time you’re tempted to skip church, grow faithfulness. Next time you’re irritated, grow gentleness. Next time you’re forced to stand in a line, grow patience. And before you know it you’ll have fruit enough to give away.