Intentional Gratitude

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. Abraham Lincoln, 1863

thankful1 Are you good at gratitude? I’m not.

That’s a tough confession at Thanksgiving. I want to be grateful, I try to be aware of it, and I know I should be grateful. But despite my desires and efforts, a truly authentic attitude of gratitude doesn’t come naturally to me.

Apparently Paul shared my frustration with this gap between knowledge, desire, and action.

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do…For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. [Romans 7:15,19]

I experience, moment-by-moment, the whispers of an enemy who uses half-truths and cultural assumptions to tempt me away from the path I want to travel. I tried to list some of the reasons for my failure to always be genuinely grateful.

Entitlement. I grew up in middle class America in the 50’s and 60’s. Everyone assumed that kids would naturally have more education, freedom, and material stuff than our parents. Since that’s what I have, and I’m supposed to have it, where’s the need for gratitude?
Ownership. My stuff is mine. I earned it, I worked for it, and I own it—the Constitution guarantees that it’s rightfully mine. So if I own it, why should I feel grateful?
Pride. I’m proud of my teaching career, of being a writer and speaking to groups. I’m proud of publishing a book, and of what I’ve accomplished despite significant adversity. And since I did all of that, why feel grateful?
Security. In uncertain economic times, I’m concerned about the future, about health care and retirement. I’m tempted to hold tightly to my stuff, to make sure I have “enough” to insure the lifestyle I “deserve.” Why should I express gratitude for security I’ve created?

Of course, these are lies. Like the best lies, they’re created by an enemy who’s a master of subtly twisting good into evil.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with possessions or property rights. It’s not evil to feel proud of our accomplishments, and it’s certainly wise to responsibly plan and manage finances. Those are all good things.

The problem arises when we forget the true source and the rightful owner of all we’ve been given. I haven’t “earned” any of it, and I surely “deserve” a fate much less abundant than the one I enjoy.

Everything I have is a gift. I don’t own it, I’m only a steward. I stray into the wilderness when I cling to the gifts rather than holding them in open hands and pray that God will help me to use them wisely.

Gratitude is an important part of LIVING LIFE ON PURPOSE. For me, gratitude has to be intentional. I need to be aware of it, to practice it. Like so many important attitudes, I lose it the moment I begin to take it for granted.

Right now, I’m especially grateful for the circle that’s forming around this blog. I’m grateful for each of you who visit the site, read my ramblings, and pass them along to others. I’m grateful for your comments and support.

I don’t say this frequently enough: thank you.

I don’t own any of this; it’s not about me. It’s about you, the circle, the community of love and support. And most of all, it’s about Jesus.

I wish you all a blessed and relaxing Thanksgiving. If you’re traveling, be safe. And take the time to hug somebody and tell them you’re thankful they’re part of your circle.