Greg Anderson, in Living Life on Purpose tells a story about a man whose wife had left him. He was completely depressed. He had lost faith in himself, in other people and in God. He found no joy in living.
One rainy morning this man went to a small neighborhood restaurant for breakfast. Although several people were at the diner, no one was speaking to anyone else. Our miserable friend hunched over the counter, stirring his coffee with a spoon.
In one of the small booths along the window was a young mother with a little girl. They had just been served their food when the little girl broke the sad silence by almost shouting, “Momma, why don’t we say our prayers here?” A God Alert
The waitress who had just served their breakfast turned around and said, “Sure, honey, we pray here. Will you say the prayer for us?” The waitress turned and looked at the rest of the people in the restaurant and said, “Bow your heads.”
Surprisingly, one by one, the heads went down. The little girl then bowed her head, folded her hands, and said, “God is great, God is good, and we thank God for our food. Amen.”
That prayer changed the entire atmosphere. People began to talk with one another. The waitress said, “We should do that every morning.”
“All of a sudden,” said our friend, “my whole frame of mind started to improve. From that little girl’s example, I started to thank God for all that I did have and stop complaining about all that I didn’t have. I started to be grateful.” A God Tap
We all understand and appreciate the importance of gratitude. It can radically change relationships. One of the first things we were taught and that we teach our children is to express their gratitude. We all know as adults that we appreciate being thanked by people. Yet, when it comes to giving thanks to our heavenly Father, we so often miss the mark.
After Jesus cures the 10 lepers, he stresses the importance of giving thanks to God: “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17-19).
If you are hurting, Thank God.
It’s a Sure Sign that you are alive!!
