Gratitude
via todaydevotional.com
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. . . . — Psalm 107:8, 15
A couple of years ago we decided to plant a garden. Our kids had been bugging us to try one, so we made it a family project. We did some research and got started, learning by trial and error as we went along. We took time to nurture the soil and worked hard to protect our plants from the various creatures that also wanted to eat from our garden!
One of the fruits we planted was strawberries. They did okay the first year, but much better the next year. Our time and energies paid off, and we had a nice crop of tasty berries.
It also takes time and effort to harvest a fruitful spirit of joy. One of the ways we cultivate joy is to practice gratitude, making an effort to be thankful to God and to others.
We cultivate joy when we spend time with God in his Word and let him remind us of his faithfulness throughout the ages.
We cultivate joy when we recognize God’s redemption story as our own story, pondering with gratitude the gift of salvation offered to us in Jesus.
Today, as you reflect on what it means to live as Easter people, take some time to give thanks. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” The Lord is indeed good!