Learning to be Thankful
“This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:12
“Rejoice always, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16, 18
José and Patricia have been coming to receive groceries and meals regularly. We have prayed for Patricia who has serious health issues with diabetes and a very serious brain aneurism that will require surgery. Patricia has a very quiet thankful spirit but Jose is very much outgoing in his thankfulness. Both are so grateful for what we have given them and how we have prayed for them.
They know very little English. But they know how to show their appreciation. I don’t know of a more grateful couple. José expresses his gratitude by saying over and over to me, “Thank you.” I love his smile when he expresses his thankfulness. He lights up. And he lights me up. He makes me remember how to live feeling grateful.
I don’t want to take for granted what God has given me. José models for me the way to be in life. We always should be giving thanks to God. As I get older I think I’m realizing how much I have been blessed to enjoy in life and too often I’ve not thanked God enough. I remember teaching my children to say, “Thank you.” Thankfulness is a learned behavior; it doesn’t come naturally. José has taught me to express my thankfulness and have a more grateful heart.
Paul in all his letters encourages giving thanks to God. He also affirms how when we give to others it will result in more thanks to God. At CCDC our gifts of the meals and other necessities to those in need have resulted in much thanksgiving and praise of God. The folks who come to CCDC are deeply touched by our service to them and our willingness to pray for their needs. What a joy it is to see how people respond to our ministry and thank God for what we are doing. They know that what we do is out of our love for Christ and for those we serve.
When I see how little some people have materially, and I sense how grateful they are for what they have been given, I’m deeply moved to be more thankful and more appreciative of what God has given me. I want to be more like José and say over and over, “Thank you, thank you!”
All our volunteers see the gratitude people have and feel blessed by God to serve others. CCDC brings the joy and the praise of God to us all. Come and experience the uplifting atmosphere when we serve in Christ’s name. Your gifts to support our ministry and your time in serving at CCDC can bring about increasing praise and thankfulness to God who so generously gives to us all.
May God’s Peace be with you,
Pastor Jim and Debby Riley