A Messy House A Messy Heart

A Messy House A Messy Heart

When I was a boy, my mother was unmercifully cruel! She had the audacity to make me help around the house with an occasional chore. After whining and complaining and feeling sorry for myself, and after trying every conceivable scheme imaginable to get out of doing it, I would finally resign myself to the fact I had to do it, and jumped into the task at hand with great jealous and enthusiasm. (you believe that right). At this young age, I discovered an important truth about cleaning. I found that it didn’t matter how much work you did, when it came time for Mom to inspect, she would immediately go to the one thing I had missed. She was totally oblivious to all the things I had done. And now, as an adult, I have found this to be true with my wife as well. I honestly don’t know if this is a gender thing or not. But instead of receiving the high praise and recognition I so greatly deserve for the infrequent times I lift a finger to help, she says things like,” are you really going to leave this like that?” WOMEN!!!

          I see this same behavior in a different aspect of life, and that being gratitude. Instead of us appreciating the many blessings we receive on a daily basis, we tend to focus on the one thing that God hasn’t given us yet, or done to our liking. I sometimes wonder if he feels like I did as a child. Look at all I have done for you, and never hearing a single thank-you, and you want to be upset with me over this one small thing!

          I see so many people running around every minute of every day, being miserable and feeling that life has treated them unfairly. For the most part, these people are more than happy to share their misery with anyone unfortunate enough to cross their path. Then there is the other side of the story. I’m sure you’ve heard it said, “someone else always has it worse.” Well, it’s true, I know people who are confined to a wheelchair or a bed, and yet they have such an appreciation for life and a bubbly personality. It’s simply amazing how they don’t dwell on the bad, they cherish life and celebrate the good God has given them. When the Apostle Paul was imprisoned, he could have easily resented God and been upset with him, but he chose to sing his praises instead.

          We need only to open our eyes and look around to see, we each have so much to be thankful for. If we would start our days by counting our blessings, we wouldn’t have time to be miserable. If we could only focus on what God has already done for us and anticipate what still may be to come, it wouldn’t leave room for bitterness. We have to trust that God loves us and wants what is best for us, like any good Father. Remembering always how far he has already brought you, why would you want to believe that he will fail you now? Plant a seed of gratitude in your heart. Nourish it with faith and obedience and then sit back and patiently allow it to grow into untold miracles. God works in his own ways and in his own time, but one thing for certain, when he does something, he does it right! If you’re not seeing miracles in your life, maybe you haven’t taken the time to stop and thank him for the ones he’s already given you. And maybe it’s just your eyes are closed and you are giving credit to someone or something it doesn’t belong to.

I Just Want To Thank You Lord