As we go about each day living life as we see fit, we must never forget to give thanks to the one who gives life.  I am not just talking about giving thanks for the big things, like a brand new car I’m talking about giving thanks for everything.  Food, clothes on your back, air to breathe, roof over your head, all of these things.  We must be thankful because believe it or not, there are people in this world who do not have some of the things listed above.  It’s sad because I think a lot of us know this to be true but it is easily forgotten because it’s not right in front of our face.

Just recently, while over here in Germany, someone came to my church who was from a different country.  This man was not from Germany, nor was he American, but he understood the English language and because he saw the signs outside of the church he knew this was the place he could come to not only get a word, but also get help.  Long story short, come to find out this man was homeless and had not eaten any food in three days.  He was in our area looking for work and had been traveling all over Europe trying to find a job.  So many things about my interaction with this man got me to thinking.  In spite of everything that was going on in his life, he had enough sense to know that when he saw the cross painted on the building and the word ‘Church’ that this was a place he needed to be in.  (That is whole separate topic I could go into when it comes to the church and giving people the help they need, but I’ll have to save that for later.)  To think I had nerve enough to complain about the cold and rain outside, when I have a home that is nice and warm and here this man is homeless.  I got mad when I first moved to Germany because I couldn’t find the specific type of foods I like at the grocery store, when again I meet this grown man who hasn’t eaten anything in the past 3 days.   Needless to say, my church helped him and he was extremely grateful, but on a personal level all I could do was pray and ask God to forgive me for having an ungrateful heart.  Truthfully, the main reason I wanted to write about this is because it should not take us running into someone who is going through hard times to get our mind right and be grateful for what we have.

I want to encourage you to take nothing for granted because things could change or even worse, it could be taken away from you in an instant. While you complain about eating chicken instead of steak, there is somebody who doesn’t have food at all and while you are upset because you want a bigger house, somebody is sleeping in their car every night.  The reality is this, if it weren’t for God’s grace and mercy that is new each and every morning there’s no telling where any of us would be. And the beautiful part about it is there is nothing you can do to earn it or deserve. That’s just who God is. His love is truly unconditional. #iDeclare #taketimeandgivethanks

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come first repenting for not being grateful for each and every blessing that you bestow upon me.  Thank you for waking me up to see a new day, thank you for giving me food to eat and shelter over my head.  I just want to say thank you.  Thank you for who you are in my life and for all that you do for me.  I decree and declare on this day that I will take nothing for granted. Each day, I will take time to give thanks.  I love you Jesus, and I thank you that you are the head of my life.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Scripture Reference:

1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”

James 1:17 NIV “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”