Now that the busyness of the Thanksgiving celebrations have come to an end and the short break before the Christmas excitement starts I find myself reflecting on all the really good people I have in my life. There truly is so much to be thankful for. It’s easy to get our focus caught up on the negatives in our present world and miss all the positives in our everyday. If you think about it, there are so many daily blessings that we take for granted. There’s a lot of kindness out there. On a recent roadtrip we encountered a number of people along the way that just displayed a joy of heart. They were everyday people in everyday jobs, cashiers, hotel clerks, fellow travelers, people who choose to be kind rather than grumpy. Yes, life is challenging in many ways but how much less stressful can we make it for someone else? It doesn’t take much to be kind and friendly. It doesn’t cost us anything but what a difference it may make in the life of someone who is struggling just to see a friendly smile and feel a bit noticed. It can be like a warm blanket on a freezing cold day or a cool glass of water in the heat of summer. Do you think about the impact you could have in someone’s life just by being kind?
We visited family we hadn’t seen in many years this holiday and I was just overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of them all. My heart was filled with thanksgiving to them and to God who has put me in their lives. He has been so gracious to me all my life. There have been so many good people that he has brought in and out of my life over the years. In all the different cities and countries we’ve lived in and visited, he has provided good souls I will never forget. And then there are the deep friendships both old and new that have sustained my heart with laughter, comfort, refreshment and grace beyond words.
I pray that I can be that person who puts a smile on someone else’s face even if it’s just for a moment in time. The way I see it, we can choose to be thankful or we can choose to be grumpy regardless of our circumstances. It seems like a no-brainer if you really think about it. Why would you want to be grumpy and miserable rather than thankful and kind. This life will always have its ups and downs— that’s just the nature of things. But, if we take the time to reflect a bit we can always find something to be thankful for and pass it forward to others. A smile is a gift to those who need it. Let’s be that gift.
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,” Philippians 1:3 ESV
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'” Matthew 25:35-40 ESV