In The Master's Service

Print this page

Thanksgiving

LORD, THANK YOU

"Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes;

we have plenty of food to eat.

Thank you for this pile of dirty, smelly laundry;

we have plenty of nice clothes to wear.

And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those

unmade beds; they were so warm and comfortable

last night. I know that many have no bed.

My thanks to you, Lord, for this messy bathroom,

complete with all the splattered mirrors, soggy,

grimy towels and dirty lavatory; they make life

so convenient. I know of places without water

to drink

Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator

that needs cleaning. It has served us faithfully

for many years. It is full of cold drinks and

enough leftovers for two or three meals.

Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely

must be cleaned today; it has baked so many

things over the years.

The whole family is grateful for the tall grass

that needs mowing; my kids are healthy

and able to run and play in it.

Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting

me says you have richly blessed my family. I shall

do them cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the

alarm rings, thank you, Lord, that I can hear.

There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the

morning light as long as possible, thank you,

Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising,

thank you, Lord, that I have strength to rise.

There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic,

when socks are lost, toast is burned and tempers

are short, my children are so loud, thank you,

Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like

the pictures in magazines and the menu is at times

not balanced, there are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job is very often

monotonous, thank you, Lord, for the opportunity

to work. There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day

to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest,

thank you, Lord, for life."

-Anonymous.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

BE THANKFUL

Be thankful that you don't already have

everything you desire. If you did, what would

there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something,

for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.

During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations, because they

give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,

because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes.

They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary,

because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who

are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,

and they can become your blessings.

- Author unknown.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

YOU ARE SO BLESSED

If you woke up this morning

with more health than illness,

you are more blessed than the

million who won't survive the week.

If you have never experienced

the danger of battle,

the loneliness of imprisonment,

the agony of torture or

the pangs of starvation,

you are ahead of 20 million people

around the world.

If you attend a church meeting

without fear of harassment,

arrest, torture, or death,

you are more blessed than almost

three billion people in the world.

If you have food in your refrigerator,

clothes on your back, a roof over

your head and a place to sleep,

you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank,

in your wallet, and spare change

in a dish someplace, you are among

the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If your parents are still married and alive,

you are very rare,

especially in the United States.

If you hold up your head with a smile

on your face and are truly thankful

you are blessed because the majority can,

but most do not.

If you can hold someone's hand, hug them

or even touch them on the shoulder,

you are blessed because you can

offer God's healing touch.

If you can read this message,

you are more blessed than over

two billion people in the world

that cannot read anything at all.

You are so blessed in ways

you may never even know.

- Unknown.