Grateful Hearts

For those of us in the United States it’s so easy to think and talk about gratitude during the month of November.  Facebook posts are full of pithy sayings about being thankful, news coverage included heartwarming stories of appreciation and stereotypically heavy laden church potlucks remind us of the sheer abundance of our lives.

Yet the challenge to be thankful is an ongoing one.  In fact, the conflict of “not enough” comes screaming back full force just hours after the feast is over.  For the past few years, the reminder of how we don’t have enough is even creeping up on us earlier and earlier. (My newspaper and inbox were full of special sale ads starting about 10 days before Thanksgiving.)

You know what I’m talking about don’t you?  ‘Black Friday’ hits with the ferocity and intensity of Niagra Falls.  Black Friday SHOUTS.  I’m convinced its message is not really about the stuff though – I think it’s deeper than that.  It’s the lie of the enemy that we not only don’t have enough, indeed we aren’t enough.

And that’s the tender spot isn’t it?  I believe the lie that if I just get that set of matching luggage, then I will be stylish enough.  If I just load my kids down with that new doll/truck/game, then I will be a good enough mother.  If I get my husband the latest tool, then I’ll be a good enough wife.  Oh, and if I will just be wise enough to take advantage of the incredible pricing on those things I really don’t need and don’t have room for anyway, then I’ll be a savvy enough homemaker.  Oi vay!  It’s enough to make your head spin.

And that’s what the father of lies wants, right?   He wants me to spin my head from the truth that none of that stuff matters because I am accepted and loved just as I am.  The truth that not one thing I do or say or buy will change my value.  I already am enough.

Interestingly, it’s the same lie I tell myself when my relationships start breaking down.  The lie that my lack is why I can’t fully connect.  I imagine that if only I were more (fill in the blank) then we would become better friends, coworkers, (fill in the blank).

Truth, is that when we are wiling to recognize the lie for what it is (never fulfilling) and start being thankful for what we already have that our relationships can start being repaired.  Truth, is that it’s only through gratitude that I am able to fully experience contentment and peace.

Today I wish you peace through gratitude.  When your sibling hurts your feelings, be thankful feelings will mend.  When your parents give you unsolicited advice, be grateful you still have parents.  When your kids misbehave, disobey and embarrass you, be thankful they are independent thinkers.  When you eat too much and have to unbutton your jeans, be thankful for the bounty.

So tonight, before we set our alarm for 3am in order to head out for early shopping, let’s stop and take an inventory of all we already have. All we have in our relationships, our health, our work and indeed our lives.   My hope is that our grateful hearts will realize just how full they already are.