A Harvest of Gratitude
Photo image courtesy Pixabay
“Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls—yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” – Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NKJV)
When our son turned 16, my husband and I decided to give him a special “grown-up” wristwatch to replace his plastic teen version.
After our purchase, our son needed a few wristband links removed to make it fit better. He made plans to drive our car ten minutes over to the shop, his very first solo trip with his brand-new driver’s license.
A half hour later, our doorbell rang. I was stunned to see two policemen on our front porch. Oh no, I thought, this can’t be good.
“Do you have a son named Alex?” they asked. My heart jumped.
“Yes! Has he been in an accident?”
“No... but did you purchase a watch for him?”
It turned out that the shop had been robbed a few days earlier, and another watch just like the one we had given Alex was on the list of stolen items. The store owners were keeping him as a theft suspect because they couldn’t find our purchase in their records.
After showing the officers our receipt, I closed the door and breathed a huge sigh of relief. My panic was over. I was exuberantly happy when Alex came home safe and sound, even though he was a bit flustered about being detained.
Later, I received an apology and gift certificate from the shop. But I held no grudge against the owners. Why? Because my gratitude to God for Alex’s safety far exceeded any possible irritation I might have had about their suspicion against my son. My peace was complete.
Just as sin has negative consequences, gratitude has positive results. It bears a harvest of lovely fruit.
Thanking God for His constant presence with you brings contentment during a whirlwind of anxiety. Ask Him to calm your heart as you praise His name. In sadness, being thankful to the Holy Spirit gives you comfort. Remember His faithfulness in the past when He has guided you and lifted up your soul. When you need patience with difficult people, share the grace of Christ with them—it builds up encouragement for them and yourself.
Gratitude requires choices that will give glory to God. It means quelling the temptation to whine or complain and instead focus on the goodness of our Lord. If I practice gratitude, I find it easier to emerge from despair or anger into peaceful joy.
Friend, you may have had a difficult year, with defeats, worries, losses, and conflicts. Ask God to show you where His hand has been at work for you through these difficulties. Habakkuk offers a list of such obstacles during a harvest time when the outcome was bleak. Yet he chose to praise his Lord and used the word “joy” as a verb, his deliberate act of rejoicing in God’s salvation.
I pray you will find moments of joy and peace from the Holy Spirit as you choose to be grateful to God. May our Lord warm your heart with even more gratitude for His bountiful love.
Questions for Reflection:
1. What is making you anxious this week?
2. Can you find an example of God’s presence with you amid those difficulties?
3. Think of one provision He has made for you today and give thanks for it.
