Spiritual Boot Camp

Gratitude is synonymous with thanks.  If you receive a gift for your birthday, anniversary, special holiday or great achievement; you would send out cards to express gratitude, right?  You may also show appreciation by baking an item for another, spending some time together, a call, flowers, a hug, a handshake, etc.  In society, many ways exist to extend thanks.

Unfortunately, times occur when thanks remain silent, is forgotten, deemed unimportant or simply not even in one's vocabulary.  In our "What about me" and "I deserve this" society we live in today, appreciation flies to the wayside.  Respect for one another often does not appear in our lives. 

It seems when boys and girls return from boot camp in the service, their respect for others highly increases.  It is so nice to hear a young man say please and thank you when coming to my place of employment.  It feels nice to be respected and thanked for providing a service to another.  I think we all need to go to boot camp and allow our hearts to fill with respect and gratitude.

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:15-17)

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) 

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving
   and his courts with praise;
   give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
   his faithfulness continues through all generations." (Psalm 100:4-5) 

Along with boot camp here on Earth, I think we need to attend a spiritual boot camp.  Too many times we do not show gratitude to our Creator, Physician, Counselor, Savior and Father.  We consume our days with tasks, chores and events, forgetting to take the time to praise our God for all He provides.  Look at the sunrise and sunset.  Take in a breath, touch the hand of another next to you, read, write, drive, eat and drink.  Look at the oceans, mountains and feel the chill of a beautiful fall day.  All is provided by our one true God.  He loved us so much to create these pleasures for our enjoyment.  He sent His only Son to die so we may live an abundant life.  And we just drive on through each day honed in on our "to do" list?  We fail to take time to simply say, "Thank you"?

What is happening? 

Our God is so awesome and He continually provides, gives freely the gift of grace, loves us unconditionally, believes in us, supplies comfort and counts none as lost.  He stands with open arms for you to come running.  He asks nothing from you; no money, gift, card, flower, baked good, etc.  He only asks for you to believe in Him and accept Him as your Lord and Savior.  Invite Him into your every moment.  He created us in His image to have a relationship.  He did not need us.  Oh, but we NEED Him.  Seek Him, thank Him and love Him for all He does and has done.

How can you show gratitude to your Creator today?

God, thank you for another day.  Thank You for breathing life into me.  I give thanks with my whole heart and just cannot express in words my appreciation for the beauty surrounding my every day.  Thank You for providing Truth which set me free from a long life of bondage.  I now see Your goodness and love.  Keep my eyes focused on You and my obedience to Your Will.  I love You.

Keep praying harder than the devil can work.
Sheree Craig