I then realized that they were some of the few thank you notes I had received in a long time. For whatever reason, it seems like most gifts or other gestures go largely unnoticed and unacknowledged these days.
Maybe it's a symptom of living in a digital age...
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Maybe it's because our culture has embraced informality over formality. Or maybe we've been spoiled by growing up in a country blessed with widespread abundance, and we've developed a sense of entitlement to that abundance.
Whatever the reason, the practice of gratitude and simple, common courtesy is becoming a lost art...
Sadly, this trend carries over into our attitude towards God and His gifts to us too. If I am miffed because someone doesn't take a moment to write a note or call to acknowledge something that I spent my time and money to buy or make for them, what must God feel when He has given us so much, and we fail to acknowledge His blessings....or even have the audacity to believe that we earned those things through our own merits or hard work? Ouch.
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Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful;
but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
- Romans 1:21
Taking time to acknowledge gifts from others and especially from God is not only healthy, but it also keeps us from taking one of the first steps in that downward spiral that Paul describes in Romans 1.
So, I am continuing to count my blessings.....
Today, I am thanking God....
# 501. ... for giving me wisdom in a difficult situation.
# 502. ... for a fun day cutting Christmas trees with friends...
# 503. ... that there are only two weeks left of Josh's first year of PA school and he won't have to go back and forth to Knoxville during the week anymore after next weekend... yay!
# 504. ... for hospitals, doctors, and medical treatment... (Please pray for my Mamaw - she's currently in the hospital with an obstruction, and we're hoping it won't require surgery. Thank you...)
#505. ... for plans for a simpler, less stressful Christmas.
# 506. ... for the smell of pine trees.
# 507. ... for a beautiful sunset.
# 508. ... for an influx of orders in my Etsy shop over the last few days... (thank you all!)
# 509. ... for the smell of oranges, cloves, and cinnamon simmering on the stove while Christmas carols are playing.
# 510. ... for the ultimate Gift - Jesus, born to die....for you and for me.
Linking up at:
A simpler Christmas - just the words make me happy. :-) Hope you guys have a great Christas as you prepare for your next big adventure. Praying for your grandma and your family. And YAY for Etsy orders!! :-)
ReplyDeleteI've noticed the same thing... but in Australia. I thought it was just a culture thing... thank you cards being so big in the UK but not here etc... Loving that you can find so much to be thankful for in what is possibly a hard week for you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to think about this Beth! Thinking about how God feels when He gives so much and we aren't always grateful. Cutting Christmas trees looks like so much fun. Beautiful trees. A simpler, less stressful Christmas sounds wonderful. Working on that myself this year. Praying for your mamaw!
ReplyDelete#509... I feel festive just reading it! =)
ReplyDeleteThank you all for praying for my Mamaw... she was able to go home today without needing surgery, so we're very thankful....
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