“A Life of Gratitude Produces Peace”

15 Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking, because you were all called together in one body to have peace. Always be thankful. 16 Let the teaching of Christ live in you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and instruct each other by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:15-16 NCV

It’s that time of year again, when we in the United States gather around a table to feast with family and friends and share about life experiences of thankfulness.

But why do we have to wait 365 days to do this? Where is it written that there is only a single designated day of the year where this kind of celebration is deemed “appropriate?” What then do we say of the other 364 days? Just pause for a moment and give that some thought.

In typical American fashion, we run around town to find the ‘best’ ingredients, the best home décor, the best scents and aromatherapy to set the ambiance, set the best-looking table, put on our best pair of jeans, and then chat about those things we were trying to catalogue in our memory bank for when it became our turn to share of what we’re thankful for.

We are called to be thankful, as the Bible tells us, in all circumstances (good and bad) and for all things because this will be our identity marker (characteristics of GOD’s Family). When our minds are on Christ, peace fills our lives. When we actively and intentionally choose to live The Way (the Jesus example), countercultural things happen. We experience peace regardless of what is surrounding us. That takes practice, so if it’s you’re first go-around, don’t expect immediate calm. And it’s not like following a recipe ~ you have to genuinely be sincere about your thankfulness as all the chaos is crashing in around you. And yes, it’s a battle. So, if that’s your current status, I get you. You’re normal ~ so no need to develop TMJ over it. Deep breaths, unclinch your fists, drop your shoulders ~ Jesus has you.

Perhaps it’s a season of change ~ more than just the autumn leaves turning colors and the weather cooling. Just maybe this is a call to really consider how we live our lives with gratitude even when we don’t get the job, the car breaks down, the promotion goes to someone else, the bills are outnumbering the finances, the relationships are still fractured, the medical report doesn’t look promising …

Is it possible to raise praise in the midst of all the turmoil? I believe it is. Not because things are going well in my camp, but because at the end of the day, when I settle in with my thoughts about all I’ve lived through in a single day, I know that GOD is still on the Throne and in control. I have learned to trust Him with what I don’t know and cannot see. That’s called faith.

I’ll admit to my shortcomings ~ they blare horns and draw attention faster than I can apologize for the fallout. That’s also part of the faith journey of gratitude. Simply being thankful that I rise in the morning with breath in my lungs and blood flowing through my veins and being able to hear the birds chirping and watch the sun come up ~ and I didn’t ask for that before opening my eyes. I didn’t pray for any of that as I laid my head down the night before. And yet, GOD in His Mercy, gifted me with all that at the start of my day.

It’s taken a lifetime to come to realize the gift of the present day ~ when you hear of so many people who didn’t get it or are fighting for the chance to get just one more, your attitude starts to change a bit. That could be me.

I believe that when the Lord shows us certain things that seem to “grab our attention,” there’s a lesson in there. And it’s up to us to investigate why it’s drawing us in. We have to slow down our pace and take intentional notice. A prayer gets us started in the right direction.

Let me challenge you, Sweet Friend, to take a personal inventory. It could change the trajectory of how you perceive this season of thanksgiving. You just may experience a peace that you’ve never had before ~ a deep and intimate peace that stills your soul and overwhelms your senses with joy. And it very well may lead you to celebrate with gratitude all year long.