Today as I was contemplating the definition of gratefulness I realized that I was complaining because things were not the way I wanted them to be. My house was not as clean as I wanted it to be. My daughters were not cleaning in a way that pleased me. Dixie and Will were not cooperating with my plans. I definitely was not thankful.
The opposite of gratefulness is unthankfulness. My favorite definition of gratefulness is an operational definition that says, "Making known to God and others in what ways they have benefited my life." Instead I spent the better part of today complaining about the fact that they were not benefiting me at this moment in time.
Truth is my husband, Brian, benefits me everyday by going to work to provide for our family so that I can stay home and concentrate on our children.
Truth is my oldest daughter, Christina, benefits me by going to work, paying room and board, and still helping with the house and the children.
Truth is my younger daughter, Mary, benefits me by acting as nanny, housekeeper, and yard caretaker while she looks for a job.
Truth is my special son, Stephen, benefits me by teaching me what unconditional love is.
Truth is my precious Dixie benefits me by always being willing to help.
Truth is my sweet William benefits me by always lifting my spirits with his smile.
When we focus on the problems we always miss the truths. And the truth is that God placed these people in my life to build His character in me and that I should always be grateful for that.
In closing 1 Corithians 4:7 says, "For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou didst not receive it." I may do a lot of things in my home, that is my job, but I do not do all of it. I need to show gratitude for the help that I do receive.
Many of you will have tomorrow off. Enjoy your family!
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