Gratitude

By theteachersdevotionalNovember 22, 2023

Core Scripture: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Message: Rain splattered on my windshield. Dark gray storm clouds hung gloomily in the early morning sky, and my mood was the same. Bleak and cold. I couldn’t get the speed of my wipers right. Thanksgiving couldn’t come soon enough. My self-talk sustained me.

Two more days, Daniels. You can do this!

Yeah, that didn’t work. Sometimes I just don’t believe myself. I flipped the radio station, hoping to find something to get me through the day. And then it happened. The perfect song at the perfect time. Rend Collective’s “Hallelujah Anyway.” The lyrics sang to my wounded heart.

I’ll find a way to praise You

From the bottom of my broken heart

‘Cause I think I’d rather strike a match than curse the dark

Yeah, I’ll find a way to thank You

Though the bitterness is real and hard

‘Cause I’d rather take a chance on hope than fall apart

I don’t think I’m ready to surrender to the dark, no

Has that ever happened to you? Christian Music is so special. It helps us make sense of the world around us. When the storm clouds of the world roll in, it provides that light we so desperately need. I began to ask myself some questions …

Can I live in that moment? Can I praise God even when I am wounded? Can I be thankful even when I am bitter? Tired? Hurt? Thankful as I write these words three days later and my back pain nags at me? It is a battle for sure, but do you know what? Being thankful is a choice, and quite frankly, like the lyrics say, “I’d rather take a chance on hope than fall apart.”

Gratitude can make a world of difference if we choose to embrace it. It is time for me to do that. Here. Now.

I am thankful for my job. It came to me when I needed it most.
I am thankful for my friend Mike Clark, a Vietnam and Desert Storm veteran, who came to speak to my students on Veteran’s Day.
I am thankful for being able to see my extended family for Thanksgiving tomorrow. My brother, Curt, is driving in from Austin, Texas as I write this.
I am thankful for connecting with my 13-year-old this morning. We don’t have much in common, but I did watch a Mr. Beast video with him.
I am thankful for our school librarian who always takes time to speak character and values to my students.
I am thankful that my dog, Bloop, screams and greets me as if he hasn’t seen me in years every day. Even if I am out on an errand for a half hour.
I am thankful that my 12-year-old still lets me kiss his sweet cheeks before bedtime and before I leave for work in the morning.
I am thankful for the secret handshake I have with one of my students. It always makes him feel special.
I am thankful for hazelnut coffee in the morning while I do my quiet time.
I am thankful for my wife’s cooking. She doesn’t enjoy it, but she does it anyway, because if I were in charge, it would be chicken nugs and mac n cheese every night.
I am thankful for my students’ Thanksgiving Thank You Letters. They proved to me they CAN write in paragraphs, and they spread love to others while doing it.
I am thankful for my principal, a fellow believer who leads our school with positivity, structure, and heartfelt love.
I am thankful for the Chiefs and number 15—even if he is struggling to find a receiver who can catch his passes. They still have a firm grip on the AFC West title.
I am thankful for Legacy Christian Church, our church home since 2009.
I am thankful for good books. I am procrastinating finishing my current read because I want to savor each page to make it last.
I am thankful for Jesus Christ and what He did for me on the cross. I would be lost without His grace.
I am thankful for my 6^th grade team. Each one of us provides a different gift to our students.
I am thankful for the things I might take for granted like heating and cooling. Shelter. Transportation. Food on the table. You never realize how important they are until you have to do without them.
I am thankful for our school custodians. They always smile at me—even when I forget to put my trash in the hallway at the day’s end.
I am thankful for my FCA colleagues who pray for me every Thursday. Their encouragement is priceless.
I am thankful for all of you. Some of you I have never even met before, but I still feel connected. We are all in this together.

There. That feels better. When you think about the blessings of life, you realize how good you have it. Here’s wishing you all a restful and rejuvenating Thanksgiving Break.

Challenge: Take some time to list the blessings in your life. On paper. Or on a computer. Or make me smile by replying to this blog with at least ONE thing you are grateful for. I would love to hear from you!

Song application: “Hallelujah Anyway” by Rend Collective