As a child growing up I complained a lot when I didn't get what I wanted and my mother always said "Give thanks! 'Cause someone out there could be worse off than you.." With that I would shut up and give God thanks, because she was right.
Even in my adult life I find those words lingering in the back of my mind whenever pessimistic thoughts perch on my shoulder and whispered their plot. Added to all that I recently decided to do a photography challenge - 28 RAW . The challenge requires me to take at least 1 photo a day for 28 days, in February. Some how it forces me to look at life through a viewfinder and I'm enjoying learning about the people and things around me. I think my appreciation and perspective on life has grown and changed.
My perspective has changed so much that I can remember my first car accident, about 2 years ago, on impact profane words seeped from my lips (not something I'm proud of as a follower of Christ). However, this morning while on Highway 2000 the engine of the car I was driving caught fire... yes I was flustered but upon regaining my composure and extinguishing the flames (with help from other motorists) my wife and I had to stop and give God thanks... for what Jamaican people call "Small Mercies"
I think too often we buy into the lies of our society, that tells us that if we don't compare to the Jones we shouldn't be satisfied or be thankful. But true satisfaction comes when there is joy... and joy comes from being content. I wish I could always be in the place Paul writes about in 1 Timothy 6:6-7... when he says "But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it..."
Remember it could be worse... so give thanks!
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