"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues,
but the parent of all the others."
~ Cicero
but the parent of all the others."
~ Cicero
Thanksliving
The eyes of all look expectantly to You,
And You give them their food in due season.
You open Your hand
And satisfy the desire of every living thing.
~ Psalms 145:15-16 (NKJV)
I agree that giving thanks should be a way of life, not a one-day observation. I also believe that a one-day observation is a good opportunity to make Thanksgiving what my pastor calls "Thanksliving."
In his post "The Ten Dollar Challenge," Billy Coffey made the suggestion to bless others by giving without the expectation of a return. He says it doesn't have to be with ten dollars. It could be more—it could be less.
People can be blessed with even spare change. Have you heard of people who anonymously put money in parking meters? I have my own small change blessing I pass along.
My grocery store requires a 25 cent deposit to remove a cart from the corral. When I'm finished, I always leave my quarter behind, along with a small prayer that the Lord will send the blessing to whomever most needs it, or perhaps to someone who will return the blessing to the Lord with a word of thanks. It's also my way of thanking the Lord for the gift of an ample grocery budget.
If the heart is willing, opportunities for Thanksliving abound.
Father in Heaven, Your goodness to us goes far beyond bed and board. You provide to us life and love, light and laughter. You give us of Yourself in Your Son, Your Scripture, Your Spirit. We thank You. We love You!
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo from activerain.com
Oh Anne, I echo your prayer. I think I'll take heed to your Pastors wisdom and adopt thanksliving as my new MO. Hope you have a blessed weekend =)
ReplyDeleteThat is so precious sis, may my heart always be open to bless others. I love you.
ReplyDeletethanksliving... we are called to live life of gratitude... the Lord is so good to us
ReplyDeleteThose to whom much is given, much is required. At the very least we can recognize the gifts of God daily...even multiple times a day. I love
ReplyDelete"Thanksliving" and though I fail at so many things, I do wake and sleep with a grateful heart for the smallest gifts of God. May He bless you all richly today!
"Thanksliving" - I love it. Leaving the quarter reminds me once again that small things mean so much. Whether money, good deeds, or kind words, rich blessings are found in the small things.
ReplyDeletePeople can be blessed even with spare change... So true, Anne. Thanks for prompting us to a life of "Thanksliving."
ReplyDeleteGod bless you.
T. Anne, you are a delight! Still waiting on that photo ... ; )
ReplyDeleteDenise, you do bless others, in abundance, with your heart of gratitude no matter the difficulty. Hope your weekend has gone well.
Natasa, I think one of the purposes of pain in our life is to sensitize us to His goodness.
Gwen, your continual expression of thankfulness is an inspiration. I love you!
Candace, when we're on the other side, I wonder how many small things will turn out to have been not so small.
Jennifer, I'm continually more grateful for your presence in my life, even more so after those posts Glynn did. Please pass along my thanks to your husband.
nice blog
ReplyDeletehttp://www.prophototodvd.com
Pro Photo, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanksliving - what an awesome word and even better way to live!
ReplyDeleteThis truly does show that even the smallest things we do can have the biggest impacts in the lives of others. God is always watching!
ReplyDeleteLove and Hugs ~ Kat
HisFireFly, I agree that's an awesome word. I'm glad to pass it along from my pastor.
ReplyDeleteKat, don't you think part of Heaven will be learning the impact of all the little things we did and forgot about that really weren't so little?