Life Changing Gratitude

Did you know that a "Habit" of Gratitude . . .
1. Increases your natural antibodies
2. Is associated with healthier blood pressure and heart rate
3. Speeds healing for recipients of donated organs.
* Debbie Macomber (One Simple Act) quoting Stephan Post (Why Good Things Happen To Good People)

That's just a sampling of benefits and they're all physical. But they were enough to open my eyes and make my heart receptive to other possibilities.

"I just can't help but share," writes Ann Voscamp, "how life changing this gratitude experiment has been." (One Thousand Gifts p. 133)

Life Changing? That's what I needed. I determined to sweeten my spirit by beginning my own gratitude list. Voscamp began by listing 1000. I'm slightly past 500.

1. Working furnace . . .
30. Health . . .
45. Full Cupboards . . .
63. Faithful Husband . . .
64. Talented and Compassionate Children . . .
72. Wind. I Love the Wind! . . .
84. God's Word and Freedom to Read It . . .
92. Laughter . . .
101. Comfortable bed . . .
189. Cute (I mean Cute!) Grandchildren . . .
203. Friends . . .
225. Coffee Shops . . . and the neat people who work there . . .
300. Nature Trails . . .
350. Hugs . . .
375. Smiles . . .
538. (One of today's) Handwritten letters or notes, delivered by a mail person.

Life Changing?
I picture richer relationships,
deeper intimacy with God,
emotional healing,
melting bitterness and
changed environments at home and at work.
Can you think of other benefits? Have you witnessed some in your own life or in the lives of others?

I began seeing books on gratitude everywhere, and hearing radio programs with similar messages. One morning, I listened to an audio book about living a life of giving thanks. Besides sprinkling words like blessing and grace throughout the text, the author used research and scientific evidence to convince her audience that thanks-giving held great value. About three chapters in, she introduced chanting and meditation.

Like thanksgiving, meditation is a Biblical word and concept. But as this blog positions itself, discernment is needed.

To whom do we give thanks? James 1:17 tells us that every good and perfect gift comes from God.

On what do we meditate? Biblical meditation is not “emptying” our minds -- Biblical meditation is “filling” our minds. Psalms encourages us to meditate on God’s unfailing love, His works, His law, His wonders and on His promises. Now there, my friend, is something to lower your blood pressure, compliment your health and increase your sense of well-being.


Longing for a Sweeter Spirit and More of God,
Lonnie

P.S.
First Thessalonians 5 encourages us to give thanks in all circumstances, because it is God’s will for us. (Hmm. Thanks-giving isn’t always a response to what we already have; apparently it’s also an expression of trust.)