Marked By Gratitude By Melissa Heerebout
Happy Birthday rang out. Between my husband, my kids, my family and friends, I felt so incredibly loved.
Happy Birthday rang out. Between my husband, my kids, my family and friends, I felt so incredibly loved. Messages, social media posts, hand-delivered flowers, gifts and my favourite strawberry-rhubarb pie, I ate the whole thing,) were all loving and thoughtfully given to me. I sat down to reflect on turning 42 and knew what I wanted most. I thought about the coming year and what it might hold for me. In my journal, I wrote that I wanted to be a woman marked by gratitude. Being grateful changes perspectives. When I pause in the middle of a moment of complaining and choose to find something to be thankful for, it helps me process the moment that I am experiencing. I want to be a person who sees the gifts in my life and then passes that attitude on to others. Choosing gratefulness means choosing happiness.
In Harvard Health they say: “The word gratitude is derived from the Latin word gratia, which means grace, graciousness, or gratefulness. In some ways, gratitude encompasses all of these meanings. Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. With gratitude, people acknowledge the goodness in their lives. In the process, people usually recognize that the source of that goodness lies at least partially outside themselves. As a result, being grateful also helps people connect to something larger than themselves as individuals — whether to other people, nature, or a higher power. Gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.” (Harvard Health Article)
As believers we understand that we are connected to something larger. And so sometimes we can get stuck in the middle of messes. That’s when I need to flip my perspective and view my world through the Holy Spirit instead of through my problems.
A number of years ago I was struggling to see things at a distance. Over the years reading signs at the grocery store, the screen at church and even some road signs were becoming a bit fussy. I finally booked an appointment with the optometrist.
The first time I put on my new glasses, it was like I was seeing things in high definition. I was shocked at how well I could see. For years I had been used to squinting or making other adjustments, and all I needed was the new perspective that my glasses gave me. That’s what the Holy Spirit can do for us. It’s like a pair of glasses that help us see the world from a new perspective. We can ask the Holy Spirit to give us glasses of gratitude and the mindset to seek out thankfulness throughout our day. These verses in 1 Thessalonians 5 are packed with practical applications of how to live out our journey.
15 See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray constantly, 18 give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.20 Don’t despise prophecies, 19 Don’t stifle the Spirit. 21 but test all things. Hold on to what is good.
Such good stuff in these seven verses from 1 Thessalonians 5:15-21
- Pursue good
- Rejoice Pray
- Give thanks
- Listen to others
- Listen to the Spirit
- Be Wise (test all things)
- Hold to what is good
Doing these eight things on a regular basis is going to lead to a more fulfilled life because we are viewing our world through the Holy Spirit. I know that if I live out these eight actions in my life I will be a woman marked by gratitude.
Melissa is a pastor, writer, public speaker, lover of Jesus, coffee and all things creative! She is the founder of Dear Sisters and loves supporting writers and inspiring others in their faith journey. She resides just outside Vancouver, BC, with her husband of 20 years and their three amazing kids!