Am I Thankful?

It’s remarkable: the power of gratitude.  

Being thankful – full of thanks – can change just about anything.  From the way we eat, to the way we work, to the way we die, so much of life comes down to this question, “Are you thankful?”

Try this: go through the day thanking everyone you talk to for something. 

Or try this: before you fall asleep, thank God for 10 things. 

In her book, One Thousand Gifts, Ann Voscamp argues eloquently that grace leads to gratitude and gratitude leads to joy. 

God is graceful.

But I’m not often joyful.

Perhaps Ann is right (and Hannah Whitall Smith, The Christian's Secret to a Happy Life, before her, and The Apostle Paul long before her): maybe the secret to finding true joy is choosing to give thanks.

Our community will be focusing on gratitude during this Advent season.  I’ll teach through a new series called “Thank You Jesus.”  Titles include, “The Thankful Live,” “Thankful When it All Falls Apart,” and “The Thankful Have More Time.” 

You’re invited to join us for church in Lincoln, CA any Sunday, but especially for our Christmas Morning gathering at 10 a.m. at Foskett Ranch Elementary School in Lincoln. 

Have a thankful, joyful Christmas.