{{Today is Friday!!! It is the day I link with Lisa Jo Baker for Five Minute Friday. Here is how it works…. One word prompt. Five minutes. No editing. Lots of women. We all write on the same word.})
And today’s word is … Grateful.
I read the word and thought it should be easy. I can write on any number of things I am grateful for – people, situations, relationships, loved possessions.
But, no. Instead I remember a quote ….
In life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy. (Bro. David Steindl-Rast, a Benedictine Monk)
I have no idea where I first read the quote, just that I had copied it down.
Perhaps we have gotten being grateful backwards as we seem to wait till we have a reason to be grateful but then this makes gratefulness dependent on things and circumstances. If I am reading this quote correctly, it is saying being grateful will make us happy in and of itself.
And then I remember the familiar words of Paul …
“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NLT)
I paused to look at these words for a while. This is the thought which came to me.
What if I have it backwards? What if it were to look like this ….
- “Be thankful in all circumstances.”
- “Never stop praying.”
- “Always be joyful.”
Either way, funny thing. Right there in that verse, we are told – “for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
May we be grateful today in all things, for everything, in every way.
(photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net/Felixco, Inc.)
Today I am joining … Five Minute Friday and Essential Fri. and Beauty Observed and Friendship Fri. and Fellowship Fri. and Faith Filled Fri. and Everyday Jesus .
Love the quote: In life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy. (Bro. David Steindl-Rast, a Benedictine Monk)
Great reminder that gratefulness leads to happiness and we shouldn’t stop being grateful even if we aren’t happy!
May we become increasingly grateful. Thank you for sharing here.
Yeah…I think I’ve had it backwards too, friend. Thanks for the reminder to be grateful and then I’ll feel grateful.
Hmm, what does our friend Beth M. say??? We will act out what we think. (or something close to that). So we must change our thinking. I so loved that Breaking Free! And I am glad you are a Beth fan too 🙂
Loved that quote too. And loved this because that verse has really become one of my favorites this year. I always appreciate the way you share how a verse has spoken to you. Good stuff! Love you. Have a joy-filled Friday!
Beth, I so appreciate you. You encourage me greatly. So grateful to have connected with you! Much love to you this day!
Sister, that is profound!!! I absolutely LOVE that quote… and just might be using it for a little project I am working on. Thanks for bringing this to the front of my brain– again. (I always need these reminders)
And thanks a million for connecting over at #EverydayJesus. Your presence always blesses me!
Sharita, I am so glad I shared the quote as it seems to have resonated with several. I enjoy being a part of Everyday Jesus with you too!
Great words Joanne. You are so special to me and I am thankful we connected. God Bless. Happy Mother’s Day
Angie, I am grateful to have connected with you! You have blessed me. It is amazing to me how God connects His people via the internet. May you have a wonderful Mother’s Day too!