Our WMU leader at church is fabulous… and has given us members a 30 day challenge based on the 30 Day Challenges by Nancy Leigh DeMoss at Revive Our Hearts. Our challenge is to work on one of these things everyday for 30 days: (1) encourage husband (2) choose gratitude (3) pray for pastor (4) live tv free (5) pray for pastor’s wife (6) pray for WMU. I have taken this challenge a little differently, and added a little. I plan to do each challenge over the course of the 30 days, at least one per day; and I’ve added the True Woman Makeover challenge as well (a Proverbs 31 study).
Yesterday was my day for gratitude.
gratitude- noun [grat-i-tood, -tyood] the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful.
Synonyms
thanks, thankfulness, appreciation, gratefulness.
I think, in this day and time, this is a word that often gets overlooked. Do we really express gratitude? True heartfelt gratitude? Do we really feel gratitude for the blessings that have been poured upon us? This is an age of entitlement. More and more people feel they are entitled- that they deserve to be blessed, no matter how big or small the blessing (if they even see it as a blessing). They work hard, so they deserve that two week ski vacation. What? A vacation isn’t a blessing? Oh but it is! More and more, I see people who put the value of blessing on things they can’t put a price tag on- like children. Of course children are one of the greatest blessings God can bestow on us; but does it stop there? Often, people ask for blessing before a meal, thanking God for that meal. But, does it stop there? Is anyone really acknowledging that all things come from God?
Look around you, right now. What do you see? A ceiling? A floor? A window? Maybe television, stereo, photographs of family and friends? What do you see around you? Think about each and every thing surrounding you for a moment. Now… who do you credit for those things? Do you thank God for blessing you with a roof over your head? For the floor that you walk on that keeps the outdoors in the outdoors? For the windows that allow you to sit protected from the weather while enjoying a view of the world He created? How about the television that you watch? Do you thank God for providing it? Or do you credit yourself for working to provide all these things? From the biggest things like our children to the smallest things like the paperclip on the desk– God has provided it all. Every single inch of our belongings has been given to us by God. Don’t you think He deserves some recognition for all that He does?
You may think I’m silly for thinking God provides paper clips. A few months ago, I would have agreed. But now I see things much differently. God is the Creator of the universe. The universe consists of all things. Sure, our narrow human minds like to limit the universe to the stars, planets, and all things beyond our vision or reach. But the simple truth is everything you see and don’t see was breathed into existence by God Himself. We as humans like to take credit for the latest and greatest inventions. Even Al Gore credited himself for the creation of the internet. (ha.. ha.. ha) We don’t deserve the credit for anything. It is by God’s Hand that humans possess the ability to invent, discover, and create. HE is the Ultimate Authority and HE is in full control of this universe– even the paper clips. Is that not the most wonderful realization ever? That God not only created us in His glorious image, but that His love for us is so strong and so real that He has created all these things that make our lives enjoyable and easier! How amazing?! He doesn’t have to do anything. Yet He does. And ALL that He does deserves our heartfelt, sincere- from the depths of our souls- gratitude!
This is the day the Lord has made; rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 136:1
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17
Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father int he name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20
Search your soul… what are you grateful for today? Will you take this challenge with me? You don’t have to do it exactly the way I am, but you can challenge yourself to do at least one thing during the next 30 days… and see how you grow in the process!
I’ll share with you my first two days of the True Woman Makeover (Proverbs 31) challenge later today. I’d love for you to join me in this challenge as well. 
I definitely will try to encourage my husband more often–every day is a tall order. I just came up with a good way to remember to pray for people by listing them in my task list at work on my computer. The list shows anytime I am in Outlook so it’s a great reminder.
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Oh what a neat idea! I never even thought of utilizing technology for prayer reminders! In the past few months, I have been trying to be more encouraging to my husband, but have failed miserably on several occasions. It’s definitely something I need to keep at the forefront of my mind. He and I have a great relationship that includes encouraging each other, but it doesn’t hurt for that encouragement from me to come on a daily basis!