Facebook loves dredging up old memories. Truth be told, I usually ignore them!
Not today.
Six years ago, four generations of my family gathered for Friday evening supper. As was his custom, my father was offering the blessing. With two-year-old innocence, Emmaline struck a Norman Rockwell pose — her single carrot resting on a plate emblazoned with the word “Gratitude.”
Confession Timeout: My eyes were open, I took the picture, and wasn’t setting a good example. It’s a Poppy prerogative! Now, back to our post.
There’s a great line in A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh — “Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.”
I have a 54 year head start on Emmaline. My heart is bigger. My life experiences are deeper, wider, and more varied. So it stands to reason that my heart should hold more Gratitude,
But does it?
There’s a back story to Emmaline’s carrot. She ended up not wanting it. Her real interest was in the ice cream Gigi served later in the meal.
For my wife and I, life has served up some surprises and curve balls. Some unwanted carrots. Cancer. Job losses. Miscarriages. Unemployment. Death. Loss of friends.
There’s a verse in the Bible, though, that brings Gratitude into focus for me. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34 NLT
When life serves up carrots — remember that Gratitude is grounded in the Person of Jesus Christ. We return thanks for who He is — not what is sometimes served on our life-plates.
But here’s a little secret that many of you already know. A good God always serves us ice cream. It comes disguised as old friends, grand children, warm winter days, the vibrant green of spring, good music, a heart-stirring sermon, and the ever-present gift of God’s presence.
The prophet Isaiah encourages us in this way — “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NLT.
So humbly bow before your plate of Gratitude. And like Piglet, rejoice in the fact that your heart is full of a rather large amount of Gratitude.