“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”—Psalm 100:4
It is Thanksgiving this week, which means I feel compelled to have at least one post about gratitude this month.
Having a bad attitude keeps me from enjoying life. When you can get out of yourself and into others, your mindset shifts. When I start counting my blessings and not my miseries, my mindset changes. It will shift from one of negativity to that of a thankful and joyful heart. What brings you genuine joy? Think about those things and not what is bringing you down.
Do you know how you silence a grumpy mood? Gratitude. I have found that when I start thanking God for all of my blessings that it my ingratitude is gradually silenced. I start out by looking up with the One who lifted my head out of bed this morning. Having a heart filled with praise for God and my salvation is what motivates me to share the love of Jesus with others.
This past week, I had the opportunity to be a blessing to someone at one of the grocery stores that I frequent. It was a young man whose disposition is never one of irritation with me when I ask for him to see if they might have an item in the back. This happens just about every visit…but he told me to ask him if I don’t see something out and he will check for me….just following his instructions😬. I can not forget how this summer in the heat of July, he was wiping down grocery carts. Despite the 100 plus degree weather, he was happily greeting everyone as they walked in and out of the store.
I thought to myself, when the weather gets colder, I am going to knit him a hat. While not quite winter hat wearing weather in Texas, this past week after I checked out, I let him know I had a gift for him. I had knit him the Skull Cap pattern in Knit Pray Share. You could tell he was shocked. He said, a gift for me? I replied, Yes, I knit gifts to give to people that make a difference in my day and you are always so helpful. I remember you wiping down carts in the heat of the summer greeting customers. I also prayed over this while I was making it.
He was genuinely grateful. He couldn’t believe I had made it. He asked where he could buy one for his baby girl. I told him that I didn’t sell my items, but would make sure to make her a hat. God willing, he will be working when I go there this week. I can’t always tell if my gifts will encourage the recipient, but I know it made him feel good to know he was appreciated and his hard work was noticed.
Can you think of someone this week that you can bless with the gift of kindness and let them know you are thankful for the job they are doing? It could be someone in your household that needs some verbal affirmation or there may be a neighbor that is the first to pitch in when there is a need? What would happen if you brought them some flowers or dropped off a grocery/restaurant gift card to brighten their day?
Living out an attitude of gratitude will not only change your outlook but will bless others in the process.
Dear Lord,
Forgive me when I choose to have an attitude of ingratitude. Open my eyes to see all of Your blessings. I praise You for loving me when my heart is not full of thanksgiving. Reveal to me this week where I can share Your light to those that are in need of hope and encouragement. I thank You that You are able to use an ordinary person like me to share Your love to those You put in my pathway. It is in the name of Jesus that I pray these things.
November Memory Verse:
Romans 12:18 is the perfect verse for me to imprint on my heart for this month. I am called to live in peace with EVERYONE, not just those that think and act as I do. We can not be a light in the dark if we are acting as the world does when things don’t the way we desire.
“Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”—Romans 12:18 (NLT)
Please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make.