One day changed the world. The day that Jesus was born changed the world. Stop for a moment and think of all things in the world that would be different if that day had not happened. As you begin to move closer to Christmas and the end of this year. Allow the wonder and the gift of the day that Christ came to the world to give you the courage to create days that can change your marriage and your children this next year.
It’s exciting to see children light up with the excitement and joy of Christmas. The light In a child’s eye is all it takes to make Christmas a magical time. What things can you do to create the memories of Christmas?
“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”
― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Take a minute and think about the Christmases that you remember from your childhood. How many presents do you remember? I don’t remember that many presents, but I do remember the rituals and experiences that we had together. I remember ice skating and sledding with my family and friends. The stories and warmth of family time around the wonder of Christmas. These are the things I remember most and want to share with my own children. Several studies have pointed out that experiences together bring more happiness than possessions. Here are just a couple quick ideas that you can think about. Create experiences and joy with your kids. Remember you are creating their memories of Christmas.
I felt stuck. I did not like the situation, the job, the environment I was in. Why won’t God get me out or why won’t He open the door so I can get out of this. These were the words that I said, prayed and complained to God and others during the years that I was stuck in jobs and situations I didn’t like. I was convinced that I would experience true joy, peace and goodness if I could just change my job and my circumstances.
Most of us are probably still laboring under the impression that freedom comes first in our circumstances, and then we can experience love, joy, peace, patience, and all the other wonderful fruits of the Spirit. Not so. God usually begins first with the transformation of our attitudes; then He can change our circumstances. Stasi Eldredge – Becoming Myself
The reason why many fail in battle is because they wait until the hour of battle. The reason why others succeed is because they have gained their victory on their knees long before the battle came. Anticipate your battles; fight them on your knees before temptation comes, and you will always have victory. – R. A. Torry 1856-1928
My Grandfathers taught at a small Bible college in upstate New York from 1919 to 1976. I have been reading some of their textbooks that they used. I have been impressed with R.A. Torry and wanted to pass on the quote. In all the technology and knowledge we have available today sometimes we look back with arrogance. We need to understand that many of those that have already passed can help us understand the struggles ahead.
“Grace is not opposed to effort, it is opposed to earning. Earning is an attitude. Effort is an action. Grace, you know, does not just have to do with forgiveness of sins alone.”
― Dallas Willard, The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus’s Essential Teachings on Discipleship
Gratitude changes everything. Yes everything…. Think about it. Gratitude transforms the way you interact with your relationships. It fills the empty glass of your emotions. Gratitude truly is able to say “God has worked all things together for my Good!”
For the week of Thanksgiving I want to give you some thoughts on Thankfulness and gratitude. Over this next week as you interact with your family and friends start a discussion about what you are thankful for. My hope and prayer is that it will create thoughts and actions of gratitude in your life.
Here are some of the benefits of a Grateful Heart:
I have heard many times, “I am not in love with my spouse anymore”. The person begins to believe they need to get out, they need a new marriage to be happy. Every marriage has seasons of struggle and change. The key is to change and adjust as your both grow. The marriage has to change as the people change. Every couple needs a new perspective on marriage.
Most marriages start with the hope, the belief that they will be happy. The sad part is happiness is replaced with a rigid closed marriage that is stressed with tasks. When this happens hope begins to fade, they feel stuck. Inside you begin to ask “Do I Need a New Marriage or a New Perspective on Marriage?” I think you need both.
Gratitude gives life to your heart. Scripture says that from your heart “flows the springs of life”. A grateful heart gives life and energy to itself and all those around. Pause for a moment. How does your heart feel when you express gratitude to God or someone else. How do you feel when someone else expresses gratitude to you. If feels like love and hope is being poured into you. Gratitude given or received creates life. Ask God daily to give you a grateful heart. Overwhelming hope and love will will flow from the springs of life as you give and receive gratitude.
Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23
Here are some quotes that may inspire you.
We have all heard the phrase, “Happy Wife, Happy Life”. Is their any truth to it? Researchers evaluated the survey of 18,000 adults 50 years old and older. Here are some of their conclusions:
“Happy wife, happy life. But it cuts the other way, Miserable wife, miserable life.
if a man is unhappy in the relationship but the wife is happy, she’s more likely to provide him benefits that enhance his overall life — she’ll engage in sexual relations, provide emotional support and take on household chores.
As for why women’s happiness doesn’t seem to be affected by their husbands’ marital satisfaction, researchers conjectured that wives generally have no idea if husbands are happy with marriages or not because men aren’t socialized to discuss feelings, good or bad.
If a wife is unhappy with her marriage, she’s going to do something about it, She might complain; she might be less forthcoming with love and support. Men are not the ones to say, ‘We need to talk about the relationship.’ If they’re unhappy, they’re going to sit in their chair and stew over it.” – Rutgers Research
I am drawn to happy people that express gratitude. Most of us are drawn to happy grateful people and we try to run from unhappy complaining people. Which are you?…. My desire is to be the person that draws people with a grateful heart. Gratitude is core to how or whether you will enjoy life.
“The very quality of your life, whether you love it or hate it, is based upon how thankful you are toward God. It is one’s attitude that determines whether life unfolds into a place of blessedness or wretchedness. Indeed, looking at the same rose bush, some people complain that the roses have thorns while others rejoice that some thorns come with roses. It all depends on your perspective.” – Francis Frangipane
I have been blessed with amazing grandparents. They were simple people with an abundance of love. I can not remember a time when I was with them they were not grateful and kind. My grandfather would answer the question, “how are you doing?’, with the phrase “just a jumping” and a big smile on his face. The legacy of his grateful attitude toward life, family and his love for God are with me daily. Who are the people in your life that model gratitude?
Here are some random quotes and information about gratitude