Give Thanks

This morning, our pastor taught about giving thanks (appropriate giving the upcoming holiday). We are all so caught up in how perfect we want our lives to be that we fail to realize how wonderful our lives really are! We have homes. We have cars. We have food to eat. We have bank accounts. Most of us could say we have those four things, but there's 85% of the world that is missing at least one of those things. EIGHTY-FIVE PERCENT! We may not be wealthy according to America's standards, but we really are SO RICH.

Half of the sermon today was about complaining....the other half about giving thanks. God doesn't want us to complain. If we complain, we're being a part of Satan's league. And that's not a place I want to be!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 "....give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ". It doesn't say give thanks just when things are going your way. It says to give thanks in ALL circumstances. God doesn't want us to be complainers. Period. End of story.

When things aren't going your way, turn it around. Someone gets in a wreck and is severely injured? Give thanks that they are still alive. Hate your job? Be thankful that you are able to provide for your family. House needs a lot of work? Be thankful you have a roof over your head and a warm place to sleep. We are to give thanks for the things HE has given us....not to complain.

So, instead of being upset that Olivia didn't want to participate in Christmas photos for our card this year, I choose instead to be thankful that she is healthy enough to put up a good fight! (and thankful I got a few decent pics a few days later!!!)