How
important it is to develop a sense of gratitude in one’s life? In his book Folk
Psalms of Faith, Ray Stedman tells of an experience H.A. Ironside had in a
crowded restaurant. Just as Ironside was about to begin his meal, a man
approached and asked if he could join him. Ironside invited him to have a seat.
Then, as was his custom, Ironside bowed his head in prayer. When he opened his
eyes, the other man asked, "Do you
have a headache?" Ironside replied, "No, I don't." The other man asked, "Well, is there something wrong with your food?" Ironside
replied, "No, I was simply thanking
God as I always do before I eat." The man said, "Oh, you're one of those, are you?
Well, I want you to know I never give thanks. I earn my money by the sweat of
my brow and I don't have to give thanks to anybody when I eat. I just start
right in!" Ironside said, "Yes,
you're just like my dog. That's what he does too!"
Cicero, a Roman philosopher stated, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of the
virtues but the parent of all others.” Moreover, the book of Ephesians
provided us a significant viewpoint to whom should we ascribe all gratitude and
thanksgiving, “Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every
spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (1:3). The Apostle Paul
described in detail the principal role of God in blessing His people with all
kinds of blessing from Heaven. What we enjoy today in our lives was made before
man was created. God in His infinite wisdom provided what we need to exist with
ease and security. It was only spoiled when sin entered the world of humanity.
Thus, the call to every believer to express gratitude to God is a must and the
most important focus of our gratitude is God the Father as the major source of
every unimaginable heavenly
blessing including His only Son Jesus with the guidance of the Holy Spirit in
us. William Faulkner, a Nobel
Prize-winning American novelist and short story writer stated, “Gratitude is a
quality similar to electricity: it must be produced and discharged and used up
in order to exist at all.”
To be grateful is an exertion of the will from the
perspective of being a recipient of all good gifts and numerous blessings towards
the giver. Looking closely, it is an attitude of the heart spoken with a deep
sense of acknowledgement to what was received with a sense of deep humility.
And this my friends is a true picture of what an honorable person looks like;
the one that knows where he/she stands in uttering gratitude even in the most
odd situation. Here is a classic illustration this outlook: Scottish minister
Alexander Whyte was known for his uplifting prayers in the pulpit. He always
found something for which to be grateful. One Sunday morning the weather was so
gloomy that one church member thought to himself, "Certainly the preacher won't think of anything for which to thank
the Lord on a wretched day like this." Much to his surprise, however,
Whyte began by praying, "We thank
Thee, O God, that it is not always like this." (Daily Bread, August 26, 1989)
This day, we
enjoin the nation of Canada in celebration of Thanksgiving Day. Having such an
occasion provides all Canadian citizens and its immigrants a great opportunity
to extol the virtues of God’s blessing of the harvest. Thus, in this event, God
is the focus being the source of such abundant blessing. In this occasion, one
can clearly observe the main reason that made this country great. When God is
honored, as everyone should do, I believe that He will respond with the same
honor as He was given. As long as we will not lose sight of this simple fact
and the basis of celebrating Thanksgiving Day, it will always become a national
event that will raise one voice to honor God in recognition of His mighty
blessings towards a grateful people. God never forget to remember those that
give thanks to His blessings and He would even pour out more. It is His promise
so let us continue to do so.
Let’s talk
again!
