It is Thanksgiving Day week-end in Canada. Families everywhere will be giving thanks around a thanksgiving dinner table. We all have so much to be thankful for ; a list flows from most lips without much effort!It was a beautiful day today, and we enjoyed a drive admiring farms set in rolling hills with the mountains as a backdrop. Just as I snapped the above photo, an older lady stopped beside us and said, "I am from Switzerland and you will not find a more beautiful picture than that in Switzerland !"
I know I live in a beautifully photogenic part of the world and to see God's beauty around me every day is something I am deeply grateful for.
Thankful ! We all know what it means , right ? Maybe not...
I was reading Col 3:15 "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." and was curious about the Greek word for 'thankful'. What I found was very interesting.
A word study on the Greek word translated 'thankful' in this verse, revealed that it contained within its meaning much more than expressed thanks for the things we appreciate.
The word encompasses a lifestyle that flows out of thankfulness. It describes a person who is attentive, watching for things that promote thankfulness, not just in his own life but in the lives of others. He never misses an opportunity to do something pleasant or grant a favor. He can be counted on to be there in time of need or a moment of crisis. He is described as someone who is kind, benevolent and a gracious giver. He is also someone who is quick to grant forgiveness, overlooking the other's faults. His life is so full of thankfulness and gratitude that it overflows with generosity to others in every way. Restoring relationships is something close to his heart, as is offering his help to deliver someone in trouble.
Who would not love to have this kind of friend? Are WE this kind of friend? Our Greek word reveals that being grateful can be measured more by our actions and interactions with others than it can be by our words.
May we all prove our thankfulness, not just by our words, not just on Thanksgiving Day, but every day. Let us begin each day with a thankful heart to the Lord who has given us soo much and then , as we have received, give with selflessness to others.
Matt. 10:8b "Freely you have received, freely give" out of a thankful heart.
8 comments:
How suiting! We did the same thing...today, drove the country side taking shots... I loved it.
That is so true about your photo, that's hard to beat...trust me.
Thanks for your on-going words of encouragement. It's a retreat for me to visit.
I spent this weekend driving in the country side too...taking photos and walking Radar. I love this time of year...I love having a special day to be thankful ....even tho I start each day with a prayer of thanks.
can a person ever be to thankful.
i think not....i desire to be in a continuous attitude of gratitude.
starting with you....you are amazing;-)
Thank you for illuminating that deeper meaning of the Greek word for thankful....what you are describing is the I Corinthians 13 kind of love...
I really love your new header photo.
And when I saw the field, cows and mountains I thought how like Switzerland it must be...funny how that Swiss lady told you the same thing. You really are blessed with beauty all around.
Reading this afew days after and I always need to be reminded to remain thankful....every day. Blessings! Kathy
Your scene does look exactly like Switzerland!!! Without all the Mennonites hanging around of course. (smile)
I am thankful I've been to Switzerland, been to your area that looks like Switzerland, and now live in an area that Swiss tell me also looks like Switzerland.
I want to be truly thankful and try to live that way. Thanks Julie for this wonderful post.
Our scenery is different for sure here on the prairies but beautiful all the same..I see God's hand in every season's beauty!
I cam back to check...and am still blown away by your first photo....
I'm giving thanks!
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