It is about 8 o’clock Sunday Morning and I am walking around one of my sister n laws flower gardens.  I notice this wilted flower hanging on for dear life and I pause to look and remember our history together.  I remembered how proudly it once stood in the summers sun, how it use to get watered, pampered and admired, how that once it had peddles that were princely and pleasing to all who entered the yard.  But that was months ago before the frost of a winters nights ever visited with its cruel kiss.

        Even though this once proud flower is not what it once was, I thought I could almost hear it say, just wait until you see what I shall become.  I have no reason to mourn my former state because I know in my heart that I shall arise stronger, taller and more beautiful than ever.  Then, I shall be thankful for this time of rest, silence and darkness; I may be in Gods waiting room now, but just wait until he calls my name and sends his nurse (the sun) to warm my cold prison.  Then I shall look back and remember with gratitude what I thought was temptations and trials were really the gateway to renewal and strength.

        We all shall go through periods in our lives when the nights are too dark, too long and too cold for comfort.  We will all experience times when the only kisses we feel will be frosty kiss of loneliness and guilt.  We may feel ugly and ashamed when we think back to better times.  It may be difficult to understand now, and we may be standing here in the cold darkness of winter asking why; but do not give up, keep on standing and waiting for the great physician to call your name.  If we can enter into our trials and temptations, our spiritual darkness and dry spells, with an attitude of gratitude, they will cease to be horrible experiences from which we try to run away.

        At any moment in life we have the option to choose an attitude of gratitude, a posture of grace, a commitment to joy.  Because we can accept what comes into our lives as preparations for something better than we have known.  If a man carries his cross beautifully and makes it radiant with the glory of a meek and gentle spirit, the time will come when the things that now disturb him will be the events for which he will be most grateful.  All things truly do work together for our good when we understand that He has a purpose and a plan for our lives.  Remember, gratitude is a choice and gratitude has a way of transforming difficulties into opportunities.

Something to think about:

• A grateful thought toward heaven is of itself a prayer.

• Gratitude is born in hearts that take time to count up past mercies.

• How happy a person is depends upon the depth of his gratitude.

• It is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.

• So much has been given to me; I have no time to ponder over that which has been denied.

• When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.

• Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.

• Look backward with gratitude and forward with confidence.

• A thankful heart enjoys blessings twice—when they’re received and when they’re remembered.

• Thanking the Lord in adversity changes burdens into blessings.

Thinking of you with Gratitude
Rickey Moore