Seek to Cultivate a Joyous Sense of Thankfulness

 

A JOYOUS SENSE OF THANKFULNESS

As I looked longingly at “all the things I’m missing,” I realized that my sense of being in the doldrums was in danger of becoming chronic grumpiness. Couldn’t I find joy in any of the places where I was currently dwelling? I lifted my prayers to the Lord and cried out for Him to somehow bring a change – and in that shifting came a sense of something true that I WAS missing: thanksgiving. Could I seek to cultivate a joyous sense of thankfulness in my prayers?

A fitting memory occurred to me. In the middle of another dreary day, my adult son had texted me a cute “Grand-boy” story. I was all ears, eager to hear something cheerful for that day. He and his toddler son were looking at a Star Wars coloring book together when suddenly, little Grand-boy saw Luke Skywalker wearing his long billowing cloak; he pointed proudly and said “Look. It’s Grandma!” Oh, I laughed and laughed! Suddenly the sadness I had felt only moments before about this very thing – my need to wear baggy and loose-fitting clothes because of my sensitive fibro skin – had now become a source of laughter. My grandson’s memory of his skirted Grandma filled my heart with joy.

WHAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE?

What made the difference? Could it be that a childlike perspective had shifted my heart to a place of joyous thanksgiving? As I pondered this story again, the words from a devotional treasured many years ago came to my thoughts:

“One thing is indisputable: the chronic mood of looking longingly at what we have not, or thankfully at what we have, realizes two very different types of character. And we certainly can encourage the one or the other.” –Lucy C. Smith

In this community, we have chosen to identify ourselves with the name “Chronic Joy.” Yet, we can still choose to take on a different “chronic mood” and stay fixed on those things that we have lost on this chronic illness pathway – and we have lost so much.

CULTIVATE A JOYOUS SENSE OF THANKFULNESS

What if, instead, we could ask the Lord to reveal what he has given to us? Isn’t this precisely what Jesus wants us to seek: to cultivate a joyous sense of thankfulness in our moments, in our days, in our prayers?

We might find laughter bubbling up from a long-forgotten childlike heart – a thankful gift of chronic joy.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
(Psalm 100:4 NIV)

We have gathered four Scriptures and four prayers, one for each week of the month, to give us a beautiful opportunity to delight in and be grateful for God’s grace. Will you join me in seeking to cultivate that joyous sense of thanksgiving?