Living a life of Gratitude 4:gratitude to people

“Thus the children of Israel did not remember the Lord their God, who had delivered them from the hands of all their enemies on every side; neither did they show kindness to the house of Jerubaal (Gideon) in accordance with the good he had done for Israel”. Judges 8:34-35.New King James Version.

Although Gideon had risked his life as he fought for the children of Israel against the Midianites, his seventy sons save one were killed by his beneficiaries when he died in a conspiracy(Judges 9). But it is interesting to note that the Bible first records that it was because they did not show gratitude to God that they were unable to show gratitude to Gideon. Relationships thrive better where gratitude is present. Our gratitude to God serves as a platform from which we can show gratitude to people. We may do this so well to strangers but the truly courteous person is the person who is courteous at home.

Most of us first learn how to express gratitude in our homes when we start learning how to use the magic words. As we grew older, the grunts of adolescence slipped into adulthood and often we find ourselves bereft of showing gratitude to the people who matter the most. It is necessary then to retrace our steps as we may inadvertently be taking our family members for granted. Children should be taught to express thanks at home, for meals, chauffeur and laundry services to mention a few. As models, we should also show gratitude to children and allow them see us expressing gratitude to our own parents.

Gratitude to our elderly parents can be expressed by inquiring after their welfare regularly. We should give to them regularly commensurate to our income rather than using the fire brigade approach. Neither should we equate these material gifts with our presence. It is foolishness to suddenly have enough time and money for a burial ceremony when they are no longer around. Many of such ostentatious ceremonies have been driven more by guilt than care.

Our friends should also be shown gratitude. Calling them only when we need a favour might be an indication that they are being taken for granted. On a regular basis, we should let our friends know that we appreciate their friendship. Helping them to achieve some of their goals while celebrating their achievements is also showing gratitude.

It is also courteous to express thanks to people regardless of their social class. Not only should doctors or teachers be appreciated but waitresses and bus drivers.Our Pastors also need to be appreciated.Giving back to the society via voluntary work or taxes is showing gratitude.

Our ability to show gratitude to God is a prerequisite for showing gratitude to others. Gratitude is not only a preserver but an enhancer of   relationships. The benefits are immeasurable and saying “Thank you” daily can be a catalyst for improved relationships.

Remain Grateful,

Grace Tom-lawyer

Living a life of Gratitude 3:gratitude to God

“I will always thank the Lord, I will never stop praising him” .Psalms 34:1 Good News Translation.

“Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this”.1 Thessalonians 5:18 God’s Word Translation.

In our pursuit of living a life of gratitude daily, gratitude to God must become a foremost priority but the peculiarity of showing gratitude to an invisible God may pose challenges and certain religious ideas may have reduced it to become associated only with the grace before meals or bedtime prayers.   


We can show our gratitude to God for the life we have by living it to the fullest. Every day should be received with excitement as a present perfectly packaged and delivered to us (Psalms 68:19). The uniqueness of our being means that we have all been specially wired by the manufacturer with particular gifts and talents. The usage of these gifts and talents bestowed on us coupled with a healthy love for ourselves is another way of expressing our gratitude to God. Envying others and playing the comparison game may actually be a sign of ingratitude.

Taking care of our bodies by not moving to the extremes under the guise of dieting, exercising, medication, work, recreation, eating and drinking is another way of showing our gratitude to God. Also putting the very best in our work shows that we are grateful to God that He has provided us with a means of sustenance and increase .Taking the time to develop our minds and improving our intellect also signifies gratitude. Telling others of the goodness of God and the change he has made in our life is another means of expression. 

Singing songs of praise which sometimes are Psalms is a well-known method of giving God thanks. However a closer look at the Psalms show the writers were specific about things they were grateful for (Psalms 103:3, 4; 104:13-15). The more specific thanksgiving is, the more meaningful and personal it becomes. We can also imitate these ancient saints by having a written record of the good things God does for us. I do have one which I call my “Thanksgiving diary” and the blessedness of going through it at times when I am down is unparalleled. I encourage you to start keeping one today. This is because there are times when we may not be able to trace God but by means of such records, we are able to recall all that He has done in the past which then serves as a springboard for our faith and prayers. 

Our goal should be to make our lives an ongoing expression of gratitude to God. In developing this attitude, we need to be intentional and consistent. Sometimes having reminders or prompts during the day to stop and thank God can help in achieving this goal. This is because a life of gratitude is not optional, it is the way to truly live.
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Yours in Him,

Grace Tom-Lawyer

The Perfect Father:the Father of Mercies

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,”- 2 Corinthians 1:3
"I will be a Father to you,and you shall be my sons and daughter says the Lord Almighty."2 Corinthians 6:18  New King James Version  

I sometimes babysit a five year old girl whose parents are divorced. She is quite chatty and so recently, I enquired about her day at her mother’s place. She informed me that her mother’s car broke down and her father had driven down to give her mum a lift. Now I know most divorced people do not act like that so I commented on how nice her father is. Her response was quite intriguing. She said “yes I know and I have asked him if I can marry him when I am older”. I laughed and explained to her that she would need to find another man with the good qualities her dad had.

Everyone of us can relate to the mercy that father showed  to his former partner. According to Oxford dictionary, it is a disposition to be kind and forgiving, compassionate or simply put, it means not getting what we deserve. Mercy is such an integral quality of God that the first time He reveals his glory to a man, Moses “as he passed…..he shouted…..the Lord, the Lord God merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth” (Exodus 34:6).The first characteristic mentioned of God here is  that he is merciful. Jeremiah also says about this mercies that they are manufactured new every morning and that his mercy stops us from being destroyed (Lamentations 3:23). The mercy of God also leads to forgiveness of sins (Psalms 51:5), deliverance from death (Psalms 9:13), restoration (Jeremiah 42:12), direction (Isaiah 49:10), healing (Psalms 6:2), answers to prayer (Psalms 4:1) to mention a few.

In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, he gives a beautiful description of God. He called him the “father of mercies”. When we say father, we usually mean the originator or the source. This means that all the acts or forms of mercy I have ever received or will ever receive have ultimately come from him .I do not know about you but I have come to the conclusion that I cannot go a day without mercy, hence this father’s day meets me with a new sense of gratitude and obligation. If our father is the father of mercies, then as his children we should also show mercy. In short God requires us to show mercy (Micah 6:8, Matthew 23:23) and showing mercy qualifies us to be recipients of mercy (Matthew 5:7)

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 Perhaps your own memories of your father are far from favourable .He may have been absent, too stern or worse still, abusive and Father’s day celebration brings memories you would prefer not to revisit. But this Father’s day, regardless of how our “earthly fathers” or “father figures” may have acted, I implore us to choose to celebrate a father who is the “Father of mercies” and the source of our sustenance.

Happy Father's Day.

Grace Tom-Lawyer

Timeless Lessons from Pentecost: a promise kept.

Acts 2:1-4- “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come,…and suddenly there came a sound from heaven………and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues ,as the Spirit gave them utterance”.

Acts 2:13-“Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine”.

I recently came across a website that has been set up to attack ministers of God. I could not fathom the theology behind their claims especially as they are Christians. I noticed several accusations but read with interest one about a minister’s service. I remember  watching the particular service online that day and was appalled at how out of context some facts had been presented to defame character. Interestingly  both Moses and the disciples were also faced with this dilemma on the day of Pentecost. 

In the first Pentecost, the Law was given and the nation Israel was birth. However the children of Israel failed to recognize this and quickly began to speak of not knowing what had happened to Moses(Exodus 32).Their misunderstanding and impatience led to the making of the golden calf resulting in idolatry which led to the death of 3,000 men.

In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit was given on the day of Pentecost as the Church was born. Just like fire clouded Mount Sinai, tongues of fire were visible  on the disciples' heads.After Peter’s message, 3,000 men were saved. This move of God did not stop criticism as the disciples were wrongly accused of being drunk. This was by fellow devout  Jews who  obeyed the commandment to come to Jerusalem for the Feast of Weeks but failed to be acquainted with prophecy. A lesson to be learnt is that it is possible to start out right and not be right along the way. Also criticism should not be the response to what we do not understand. Being uncomfortable or unfamiliar with something, be it a style of worship or preaching should not be our ticket to criticize. We may not like the style of the Worship leader but should always remember the worship is not for us but God.

Apostle Peter commendably reminded his critics  that  the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was a promise kept and a fulfilment of prophecy as seen in Joel 2:28-32.Let us learn like the Psalmist to refer people to the Word (Psalms 119:23,42,51). “This is that” Peter replied and arguably most times we are living in the “is” land before the “that” happens but we can count on the faithfulness of God who is capable of fulfilling every promise He has made.Learning to wait is a lesson for all.

 Jesus appeared to about 500 disciples as he departed and told them to wait for the promise of the Father (Acts 1:4) but ten days after, on the day of Pentecost, there were only 120 left in the Upper room, where were the rest? Is it possible that impatience is stopping us from inheriting some of the promises? 

Finally, the celebration of Pentecost is usually a time of thanksgiving for the harvest of Wheat with an offering of the firstfruit ,the Holy Spirit came on this day as the firstfruits of the believer’s inheritance (2 Cor 5:5,Ephesians 1;11,14 ) and so let us all use this season to express gratitude to God for the Holy Spirit.
Keith Green rightly  sang in “There is a Redeemer” verse:
“Thank You O my  Father for giving us Your Son and leaving Your Spirit till the work on earth is done”.

Happy Pentecost Sunday.

Grace Tom-Lawyer

NB
Pentecost comes from the Greek word “Pentekoskte” meaning fifty. It was one of the three annual feasts for which all the males were to appear in Jerusalem(Exodus 23:14-19) .It is also referred to as the Feast of Weeks or Harvest.(Exodus 34:22-23,Leviticus 23:16).

Living a life of Gratitude 2:detours off the path.

“He fell flat on the ground in front of Jesus, face downward in the dust, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a despised Samaritan.” Luke 17:16 TLB Living Bible

Gratitude is highly desirable in our daily relationships. But like most good attitudes, it may require a process of learning and cultivation which could sometimes be challenging. Recognizing some of the things that hinder us from being grateful can make us better prepared so that we are not detoured off easily from the path as we strive to become better.

The first I believe is the "comparison syndrome". As long as we continue to compare our lives with the seemingly more glamorous lives of others, we may never see reasons to be grateful. A wise person once said that the grass is always greener on the other side and we may fail to appreciate the fact that at least we have grass which is green in our yard!

A sense of entitlement is another thing that could stop gratitude. I sometimes remember with regret receiving a present from one of my brothers when I was much younger and expressing a very flat "thank you" because I felt I deserved more. Although a wage has been rightly earned, there is still a place for gratitude for the opportunity to work.

I love to read books and one of the parts of a book that I enjoy reading is the Acknowledgement section. I like to see that the author has taken time to acknowledge the contributions of others. It takes a lot of humility to appreciate people and so pride sometimes can be a stumbling block to expressing gratitude.

Closely linked with pride is the "judging of motives” where there are preconceived views of the reasons of the actions of others which makes it a struggle to express gratitude genuinely. But the reality is none of us is qualified to judge motives as only God searches the heart, hence we should be prepared to express gratitude based on  actions alone   as our judgement may not always be correct.

Finally the "destination syndrome" can rob us of gratitude. It is  "the I will be happy when" this or that happens, happy perhaps when I  move into my own house or get married or have a child or have the long awaited job. All that robs us from expressing gratitude for today, gratitude that we are alive, in our right mind, able to read this article and to see clearly things that have been robbing us from gratitude.

Perhaps you know some other things that can stop the flow of gratitude, please do not hesitate to share them with us all.

Grateful to be alive,
Grace Tom-Lawyer