Thankfulness

All our discontents about what we want appeared to spring from the want of thankfulness for what we have.--Daniel Defoe (author of Robinson Crusoe)

A bit of perspective on this:  Daniel Defoe lived in the late 1600's to the early 1700's.  Quick math tells me that we are living approximately 400 years after him.  I find this so interesting because, just today, I ran across a verse I'd never read before, Ecclesiastes 1:9, What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. 

Truly, NOTHING is new 400 years later.  We still grapple with discontent and lack of thankfulness, though things to be thankful for are all around us, just waiting to be recognized.*

And, if we want our Lord and Savior to return to us, we have to find that grain of gratitude in our souls so that Christians shine in a way that sets them apart, making others want what we have:  the love of Christ in our hearts, that overflows so generously that we SHINE!

When we have been witness to His goodness the whole world over, He will appear, mysteriously, in the blink of our eyes.  And we will all be reunited.

Glory!  Can you imagine?  I know I can't.  But I get tears in my eyes thinking about that day.  And it gives me hope that my attitude and actions can be effective in bringing that day to pass.

Oh, how I long to see His face!


Yesterday, I was searching around for quotes about spring and I ran across Mr. Defoe's gem.  At first, I thought it was totally unrelated to the current season.  But, on second inspection, I realize it is highly correlated.**

If you live in the metroplex today, you have been experiencing rain for several days now.  A blessing, to be sure, because we are attempting to muddle our way out of a drought.  Yet, some are complaining that it is time for the rain to go away.  Discontent?  Yes.  Lack of thankfulness?  Yes.

If you live anywhere in the North Americas as the trees and flowers are blooming, you have been experiencing higher than normal pollen counts.  A blessing, because this is how God chose to bring new life to all the trees and flowers and plants on this earth so we could have food and oxygen and beauty.  Now, some are complaining because the pollen is covering everything in sight or they are sneezing and coughing and generally dealing with allergies.  Discontent?  Yes.  Lack of thankfulness?  Yes.

If you live anywhere in the world and are gainfully employed, even if it isn't the job that feeds your soul, you are blessed.  

If you have your health, even if your body isn't perfect and you could stand to lose a few pounds and you still have that bump on your nose from getting hit with a soccer ball when you were ten, you are blessed.

If you have food to eat, a roof over your head, someone to love, even if you'd rather be eating filet mignon at a fancy restaurant and living in a 3,500 sf house, and your spouse is going through a funk, you are blessed.

I think part of the problem is that blessings often come disguised as annoyances.  A baby crying reminds us we are needed.  A car engine light coming on warns you to check your engine to avoid damage.  Not making it through the intersection may mean you are avoiding an accident, even though you might be running a little late.

Maybe there is nothing new under the sun, but we are also promised that God is going to make all things new.  Sometime.  And, personally, I want that sometime to be sooner rather than later.

You? 
 

*A good place to start, besides the Bible, is Ann Voskamp's "One Thousand Gifts".  She has elevated thankfulness to a new level.

**"That sentence, being mathematically based, will be a huge turn-on to Mike, should he happen to read this post.