Where The Grace Is

Today I’m going to talk about gratitude. Gratitude on Thursday morning is going to be a weekly post. Gratitude is something we should have everyday. Gratitude is abundant if you take the time to look deep in good times and even in tough times. Some times it is big things and then again it could be a very small thing. Look around, look deep!

Gratitude – What is it?

Generally speaking gratitude is being aware and thankful for the good things in our lives. The things we have happen, the things we have, the things we notice around us that give us joyful, peaceful or loving feelings.

Where Does the Good Things Come From?

In James 4:6 it says “But He gives greater grace Therefore He says God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Being humble is being the opposite of having pride and not boasting. But you can be happy and look for those moments that make you happy and joyful. Those moments are gifts from God.

Ephesians 2:* says For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift –

Grace is the gift of the good things you find in your life. All the little things that make you realize there is a God who is always with you, who is taking care of you, who loves you.

How do I find gratitude or see the grace?

Everywhere around you! From the sound of the birds singing to the trees whispering on the wind, the babble of the brook, seeing a squirrel or chipmunk playing or scavenging for food. The sun dappling on the water or on a tree trunk between the tree branches and leaves. The smile of an older person, a hello from a stranger, the giggle of a child. An offer of help from a stranger. The look of appreciation from a loved one. The cuddle and purr of a cat. An unexpected hug, a compliment, the comfortable feel from a walk in nature, or noticing a flower in the crack in the sidewalk. Or appreciating the rain and standing in it and feeling it’s cleansing as though God is washing your fears and worries away.

what do I do with my gratitude?

Hold on to it each day, remind yourself through the day of the good things no matter how tough things get. Thank God for the grace He bestows upon you, for the gifts and provisions frequently. Be humble and keep your heart open, keep your ears out, your eyes moving for new things to be grateful for. Sometimes it’s the least expected things that you may find you are grateful for.

My Thursday Gratitude

• The unexpected visit of a stranger and his dog named “Coffee” who stopped and talked for a bit as they were walking by. It seemed welcoming to meet someone new. The world seems so standoffish these days, this man was so warm and polite. It was a welcomed change of pace and a delight to know that not everyone is in a rush or doesn’t want to be social.
• My husband trying surprising me by trying to do the dishes before I got home from a long day at a conference in MA. He really tried, I can’t say he failed, but I interrupted him and I finished the few up he had left. It was so sweet of him and I appreciated the fact that he not only tried/attempted, but he knew I was going to be exhausted and wasn’t going to be up to doing a whole lot when I got home.
• God opening doors for me in my calling. He’s opened the door for a Fresh Expression – “Bottoms Up” that I will be having at a coffee shop with inviting the community in for coffee/tea and conversation for those who are spiritual and not sure where they belong. We will see where it leads. Also the door has been opened with the church joint council accepting a pilot program for a free dinner for the community in need of a free dinner three times a week. We will give it a trial for three weeks. I’m excited and very grateful for both of these programs being a start for our reach out to our community.
• Watching a squirrel eat pumpkin seeds out of a pumpkin someone put out back of the church today. He was a plump guy who didn’t seem to mind me walking up to him and chatting with him and watching as he chewed them open. God not only provides for me, but He provided for this fluffy brown chatterer who was seemingly hungry. The amazement of watching this creature of God’s creation was heartwarming and I will have this image in my mind for a very long time considering he let me get within feet of him without so much as stopping his chewing and grabbing of seeds.
• My Pastors. God has put two very wonderful people in my life that I really needed at the right time. Pastor Ralph my mentor and leader with my life in Laity. Who without I never would have followed my calling. Pastor Sue who without her I never would have acknowledged God’s calling in the first place. She’s my mentor as well, she’s an adopted mom who has taken me under her wing and resonates grace in a way that I’ve never seen before. I would be lost without her guidance, love and even her proofing my bulletins! (Thank you Mom).
• The sunrise each morning that it didn’t rain. When the day breaks and the sun comes up over the mountain across the river each morning it is different each time and it gives a different feeling each day I’m on the porch. The sunrises start my day out giving me a sense of fullness, wonder, joy, peace and I find that my day is walked throughout knowing God is with me, and I try to spend it in his presence throughout the day. I am happy knowing God created me, loves me and I love Him.

So there we have my gratitude and grace I’ve found this past week. There’s more than I’ve written but I could probably write into oblivion even with the tiny things and I don’t want to put you into a trance or bore you.

What have you found to be grateful for? What of God’s grace have you found in your life today?