“Beware: It is a quick transition from a nourishing

sense of gratitude to a poisonous sense of entitlement….Steve Maraboli

For your consideration…

My daughter, Alex and grandson, Conner, just left to go back home to Washington. It is so sad to let them go. But I had to laugh when I got today’s message because I immediately was given the example of Alex as a teenager. I have told this story many times and believe me, I know my friends think that I was rather harsh. But darn it. We all have limits.

We aren’t rich but we like to think we provided Alex with a comfortable lifestyle. She certainly was in a position to see that she was pretty lucky compared to many other young people her age. And outside of the home she was generous, kind, and did a lot of good work for charities. In the home….well it was a different story. She felt and acted like she had a full say and vote in absolutely everything. Everything should be run by her to get her approval. One day I had just had it. I don’t know what she was disgruntled about but I just told her…”Look, Alex, this house is not a democracy. We own this. You own nothing. We get to say what goes. If you get a vote, it is because we choose to give you one. So suck it up and move on, Buttercup. This ship has sailed.” To say she was infuriated is an understatement.

That feeling I had came to me loud and strong today. Our gifts were given to us by God to be used in his image and honor. We had done nothing to earn them…to be entitled to them. They were gifted. They are something we should be grateful for. So too is it in our daily lives. We continue to be blessed. We are asked to remember this and be grateful for it. It is a gift to have the ability, talent, and opportunity to work for what we want.

I am not sure who said this quote but these wise words sum up the point of today’s message.

That is the HOPE. And so it is.

 

Bit by bit, piece by piece, HOPE by HOPE action steps anyone can take…

-Affirm…“I am loved.”

-Meditate/pray…ask…”What is my next step for my highest good and the highest good of all?”

-Drink lots of water.

-Get outdoors and take in at least 10 deep breaths.

-Be grateful.

 

What made me smile yesterday…

-Shannon came and spent the day with Bruce, Conner, Alex, and I.

-Will’s smoked some pork. Yum. It was a great dinner.

-A chill day at home.

-I sadly had to cut my basil down for the season. But the good news is I got my pesto made for the year.

-A good book.

 

Love, Blessings, and Gratitude,

Rev. Chris

 

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