Gratitude

A few years ago during A *Women Of Faith Conference*, they realized about 300 more women showed up than they were expecting. The event coordinators scrambled to find folding chairs to put out for these women. A lot of the women were not happy about their seats and complained off and on all day. The keynote speaker that night was Joni Eareckson Tada. If you know about Joni, you know that she was injured years ago in a diving accident. She has been confined to a wheelchair ever since. As she spoke that night at the conference, she said, "I understand some of you don't like the chair in which you are sitting. Neither do I. But I have about a thousand handicapped friends who would gladly trade places with you in an instant."

I Am Reminded To Be Grateful

"Scott is a professional golfer who plays often at the Masters Golf Tournament, hosted by the Augusta National Golf Club. The course explodes in beauty. Groomers manicure the course as if she is a wedding-day bride. In describing the perfection to his caddie, Scott commented, " You won't see a single weed all week."  He was surprised when after walking the course for five days, his caddie pointed out to Scott "I found one!"  Don't we do the same? God's love sprouts all around us, but we go on weed hunts. How many flowers do we miss in the process? If we look long and hard enough, we will find something to complain about. STOP Looking."

I am reminded to BE GRATEFUL.

These, and other wonderful examples of gratitude, are found in Max Lucado's book 

"Great Day Every Day"

• Grateful for grace.
• and the gift of family.
• Hot water.
• And cold water.
• Water. (Yeh, I worked at Camp Lurecrest:))
• Good health
• Grandchildren
• A dedicated husband.
• Three children
• And their spouses

 What are YOU grateful for today?

oh the differences that are between what we WANT and what we really NEED......

My Desire For 2011

GRATITUDE

listen and read along with words below.

 Send some rain, would You send some rain?
'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade
Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid
But maybe not, not today

Maybe You'll provide in other ways
 
And if that's the case . . .

(Chorus)

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If You never send us rain

Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight
Wrap us up and warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time
Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .

(Chorus)

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
A lesson learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead And if we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between
What we want and what we really need

So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight
Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if that's the case . . .

(Chorus)

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace

But Jesus, would You please . . .