Who is that Woman in the Mirror?

(I'm sharing this again since the theme is Thanksgiving. First published on Laced With Grace)

The sacrifice that honors me is a thankful heart.

Psalm 50:23(CEV) 

I was listening to a praise song as it sang, “Give thanks with a grateful heart…”

A grateful heart?  What exactly does that look like? The question kept popping up in my mind.

      I know what an ungrateful heart looks like. I’m sure we can all think of that person who seems to always find something wrong with most everything…the “cup is half empty” sort of person who walks around with a dark cloud hovering overhead. But what does the person look like who truly has a grateful heart? Is the sun always shining above her…does she always have a smile on her face?

      Not only do I want to recognize her when I see her, but I want to be her. I want to look in the mirror and say, “There she is!” I’ve been intentional lately about practicing gratitude, and I must say, it does not come natural for me. At first I thought I needed good reasons to be thankful, like my day going smoothly, things going well with my family, friendships, and such. But when they didn’t go so well, and I made myself thank God for them anyway, something wonderful happened…I became truly grateful for them. Not because of what they were of themselves, but because of what God was doing in the midst of them…and what He was doing in me.

      Many times what we practice with our lips becomes embedded in our hearts – whether good or bad. We start believing what we hear ourselves saying. The more I looked for reasons to be grateful, the more I saw. Things I never thought of as blessings started looking different. I started seeing that the world is filled with blessings in disguise. They are only visible to those who look for them.

      I keep going to the mirror hoping to see that grateful woman looking back at me…and some days she does, other days she forgets… or is lazy.  A life of gratitude has to be intentional, it has to be practiced and lived out on purpose. It’s not easy, but it is possible…if it weren’t, God would not ask us to do it.

“…in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

How about you? Are you seeing that grateful woman (or man) in your mirror?

Please join me at Laced With Grace today...

I've posted the devotion, "He gives us light!"

It is enough!

If this day produces no more than the beauty of itself, it is enough.

If the gentle breeze accomplishes nothing more than to softly touch my face and then be gone, it is enough.

If the hawk I see gliding among the clouds flies over distant hills and vanishes from sight, it is enough.

If the brilliant sun that warms my porch is hidden by the darkness of a passing storm, it is enough.

If the many birds I hear singing in the trees should cease their merry songs, it is enough.

If I see the twinkling stars but for an instant in the night sky, it is enough.

The changing of one season, a hummingbird pass by, a budding rose…..

It is enough to behold Your glory, Your majesty in these.

If I should see no more, hear no more, touch no more. These would be enough for me to say, “I have seen the Creator, I have seen God!”

The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. (Psalm 19:1 NAS)

God's glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.
Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening.
Their words aren't heard, their voices aren't recorded,
But their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.
(Psalm 19: 1-3 The Message)

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.  (Romans 1:20 NAS)