Be Thankful - It's a Heart Attitude!

Yes, I know Thanksgiving is a couple of weeks away and so of course we tend to think  about being thankful this time of year, but being thankful is more than just something we think about in November; it should characterize our lives every day! In I Thessalonians 5 we read -

"16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

These verses are talking about a heart attitude; not just a focus for November each year. So, what are those attitudes which damage or diminish this heart attitude in us; particularly as we serve in Children's Ministry? Consider the following . . . 

• An attitude of, "People 'owe' me their appreciation and help."
• Allowing stress and/or being busy - or too busy - to steal our focus away from God's many blessings and putting it onto work to be done, things which are challenging and people who may frustrate us.
• It may sound odd, but just not being thankful.

There are more, but these three attitudes will absolutely destroy and diminish thankfulness. If we approach the kindness and service of others from the perspective they "owe" it to us, we will not be thankful for, or often even notice, their kindness and service. If we are always focusing on what we need to do; such as recruit, train, plan, etc., we will not even notice God's many blessings. If we just are not thankful for these many blessings, we clearly will not have a heart of thankfulness which, "gives thanks in all circumstances."

Take some time to today to consider if you recognize any of these attitudes in yourself.