Grateful Living
By Debbie Wilson
I grew up in a very comfortable house that had everything we needed and everything we wanted.
So, I found it quite challenging when we started college and were learning to live on a minimal income as a student pastor. I remember that, at that time, I babysat for a well-off couple. I’d come home to my husband and sometimes complain about the things I didn’t have that they had. In his wisdom, he reminded me that they had made certain choices. They both worked, and did I really want to live the way they did?
I said no, of course, and that began my journey of being grateful for the things we had. God blessed us so much, so many times, that we knew He was providing for us: food hampers, our college fees paid, money left under our windscreen wipers in the church car park, just to name a few.
One benefit of depending on God financially is realising that money does not make you happy. Compared to others, we still had so much. ☺️
Several years ago, I read a book about gratefulness by Ann Voskamp and began writing down three things each day for which I was grateful. This practice changed my entire outlook on life, and that lesson has stayed with me. While we are more comfortable financially these days, we still feel grateful daily for the blessings God has provided us. We are grateful for all that God has done: the blessings of family, spiritual blessings, a beautiful life serving God together, and the hope of heaven. ☺️☺️
Let’s all take a minute to remember what God has done for us. I encourage you to get a small journal and write down three things each day for which you can be thankful. They don’t have to be significant; they can be a lovely cool breeze, a pretty flower, food on your table, or the people you love.
God bless you all on your own journey of grateful living.
I grew up in a very comfortable house that had everything we needed and everything we wanted.
So, I found it quite challenging when we started college and were learning to live on a minimal income as a student pastor. I remember that, at that time, I babysat for a well-off couple. I’d come home to my husband and sometimes complain about the things I didn’t have that they had. In his wisdom, he reminded me that they had made certain choices. They both worked, and did I really want to live the way they did?
I said no, of course, and that began my journey of being grateful for the things we had. God blessed us so much, so many times, that we knew He was providing for us: food hampers, our college fees paid, money left under our windscreen wipers in the church car park, just to name a few.
One benefit of depending on God financially is realising that money does not make you happy. Compared to others, we still had so much. ☺️
Several years ago, I read a book about gratefulness by Ann Voskamp and began writing down three things each day for which I was grateful. This practice changed my entire outlook on life, and that lesson has stayed with me. While we are more comfortable financially these days, we still feel grateful daily for the blessings God has provided us. We are grateful for all that God has done: the blessings of family, spiritual blessings, a beautiful life serving God together, and the hope of heaven. ☺️☺️
Let’s all take a minute to remember what God has done for us. I encourage you to get a small journal and write down three things each day for which you can be thankful. They don’t have to be significant; they can be a lovely cool breeze, a pretty flower, food on your table, or the people you love.
God bless you all on your own journey of grateful living.
Posted in Grateful Living