So I thought I would start out my December posts with different feelings/values, I see as part of Christmas. To make this more manageable I thought each Sunday I would talk about a feeling/value and then post more about it as the week goes along. This week is GRATITUDE!

What is gratitude? The dictionary defines it as… Gratitude- thankfulness, gratefulness, or appreciation is a feeling or attitude in acknowledgment of a benefit that one has received or will receive. An emotion expressing appreciation for  what one has—as opposed to, say, a consumer-oriented emphasis  on what one wants or needs.

I see it as being happy with what you have no matter how bad things may seem, even if we are not getting our way, or not getting all the things we think we are owed. I think that being happy and content with the food we have to eat, the clothes we have to wear, the people around us, with all we do have…. that is gratitude. Things can get tough and for some the holidays don’t bring the joy we expect. Even though we may not feel the way we want, can not get other’s what we want, or participate in all the things we may be asked to do this holiday season… I am grateful for one solid and constant in my life…. Jesus Christ. The Lord has been there even when I doubt it, even when I don’t listen.  I am grateful for my husband who puts up with me and all I do to keep busy. I am grateful for my pups and chickens who provide happiness and comic relief. I am grateful for my family and friends. I am grateful for all I have and all God has matured me to be. I can stand with confidence that I stand for good, positive, happiness, despite all the bad. Gratitude is best developed when we are on our knees in need… not when we have it all. I hope this holiday season you are blessed with much happiness… maybe not from stuff… but from those around you, how you can serve others, and for what you stand for. Those are the greatest blessings of all.

“I wait for you, O Lord; you will answer, O Lord my God.” – Psalm 38:15