Thankfulness....

The dictionary definition of thankfulness is an expression of gratitude and relief. What things are you grateful for this year. I know for one I have been taking stock of my 3years at University. From starting out in first year with only R6000 for my fees and not knowing where the rest would come. Remember how it was such a test of faith with my dad championing the race saying God will provide. I remember in those times feeling a sense of peace knowing everything will be alright. Then coming into my second year getting my first University merit award and being able to take a small burden from my parent's pockets but also having to continuously rely on God for monthly provision and there has never been a time when He failed to provide. Then comes my final year of undergraduate studies which I have titled 'Year of abundance'. I was fortunate enough to be selected to become part of an academic society and have the opportunity to conduct research in America. On top of that I got a stipend from this organisation meaning I had extra money in my pocket which has never before happened and to top it off I got a job as well which meant more money in my pocket. For the first time I was able to make savings, to spoil my family, to not live to the last cent every month. In a couple of months I really had what some would call 'security'. That's when the pride started to kick in, when people would congratulate me and tell me I worked hard, my mind would say "Yeah I have worked hard, through burning the midnight oil, I got to where I am". Don't get me wrong I am not saying working hard is bad, not at all, but the conditions of our hearts after we get the rewards of hard work. Have you ever noticed that its easier to be THANKFUL to God when we are in want or when he does something miraculous to provide. But when its a gradual ascent, when you've worked a number of years in an accounting firm and finally make partner, when you have been faithful with your studies and the grades are there to show it, when you have raised your children in a God honouring way and they turn out to be great individuals. What is your natural inkling, is it to be thankful to the One who makes all accomplishments happen, or is it you find security in you hard work.

I guess my intention is not to rubbish working hard, Proverbs 14:23 says, "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty". But this is just an encourage us to examine our hearts, especially in times when we feel entitled to a reward. Just reminded of Ephesian 5:3-4 which reads: "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving." How to keep our hearts in check is to be forever thankful, obsess in our thankfulness to God because He has been gracious of more things than we can imagine.


Let's keep our hearts in check because as we thank God more and more for even what we deserve it shifts our focus from ourselves to the one who deserves it, Him.

love, peace and happiness

Tau