Gratitude for Family
Gratitude is a wonderful antidote for sadness. If we look to what others have and compare our possessions with theirs, often we will feel sad and ungrateful for what we have been blessed with. We have a tendency to only see the good things that others have – big house, fancy car, nice clothes – and not to see the struggles that they go through.
But if we focus instead on the blessings we have, peace and joy abound. If we focus on the fact that we have a roof over our heads, food on the table, and clothes to wear, we will realize we have all we need.
But the best blessings are often the people in our lives. Family can provide us with an abundance of happiness and support. Rejoicing in the blessings our family members enjoy can bring a smile to our face. Yesterday, we attended the college graduation of a beloved nephew, and it was such a blessing to see what a successful young man he has become. Spending time with family to celebrate was wonderful.
God has blessed my family, and it is good to be able to share with each other how He has blessed each of us. This is something Jesus would be pleased for us to do.
Jesus . . . said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” Mark 5:19.
I am grateful for my family and for all that God has done to bless us. On this Mother’s Day, it brings me joy to focus on such blessings of family. I hope you will see your blessings today, too.
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Linda – I have so learned that I have to look at what I do have, rather than think about what others have or what I don’t have. It has turned my heart around so that I have so much more gratitude toward God and toward everyone in my life. I love the quote you have from Mark 5. So easy to skim over verses you’ve read a hundred times and miss the message. Thanks for posting it here!
I recently added a “Gratitude” page on my blog, joining the Gratitude Community started by Ann Voskamp on her blog. It’s been a nice thing to sit down and just list the daily blessings that come to mind.
I hope your week is filled with blessings! –Godspeed, Elizabeth
Linda,
Thank you for confirming something that I was sharing with dear family friends of ours with whom we have a Bible study every Sunday night. I was sharing with them how God answered our prayers for a friend in a breaking (Not broken yet and hopefully never will) marriage and suggested that we keep a log of all our prayers so that we could write out requests and track answered prayers. I do agree with you that “Gratitude is a wonderful antidote for sadness”. Well said.
Blessings,
Vineet
Hi Linda
I’m here from a comment you left at Eden’s,I enjoyed your post,family is important I hope you enjoyed your Mothers Day.Have a wonderful day and I’ll be back 😀 😀
Pat, Thanks for visiting. I’m glad you enjoyed what I wrote. Peace, Linda
Linda,
Like you, I am grateful for the family that I was born in and had to leave behind in order to come and make one of my own. I thank God…for the joys of motherhood that cannot be compare with any other. I thank God…for husband who is a co-worker with me…in parenting our daughter. And I thank God…for my mum who sacrificed and denied herself so much in order to give us, her children a decent life. I am grateful and thankful…that there are many precious mums in this world who love and nurture their children .
I thank God…that you found time today to call us into a spirit of gratitude!
God bless you!
Gladwell
Counting my blessings with you today Linda! Happy Mother’s day! deb
Thanks Deb. Hope you had a Happy Mother’s Day, too. Peace, Linda
Gratitude certainly helps in taking over the painful emotions..