Impoverished People
Grace does very little good unless we are aware of, reflect upon and appreciate it. There are times when we need to ask for more grace (or the ability to take the grace that is before us), but much more often we need to exercise the discipline of thankfulness for ALL the grace we ALREADY have.
LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
I will praise the LORD . . . Psalm 16:5 - 7
The lack of an awareness and appreciation for the grace we HAVE makes many, in America, more impoverished than those in Third World Countries that are aware of, and thankful for, basic food, clothes, shelter, a menial job to provide (and only then) the basic necessities (which we would call dire poverty).
Give me the choice of MUCH grace, with little or no appreciation of it, or an ounce of grace with thankfulness and I will take the latter ANY TIME! How much better to be highly blessed, with much grace, with a desire to appreciate this grace in full – impossible, but a worthwhile goal. For it is much more satisfying to recognize an inability to fully appreciate grace (while striving to implement this discipline more and more fully) than to be oblivious to our grace and, all the while, focus on what we don’t have and think we need to be satisfied (only when we do get it to find it was a mirage of happiness).
Look at all the grace around.
Seek to see how much can be found.
Grace, grace, I don’t need more.
Awareness of all I have, I need implore!
Be thankful for all that has been given.
The result? Your happiness can not be hidden!
Remember, it is both universal and sure -
a truth that is simple, but profound and pure:
Happy People ARE Thankful People
Thankful People ARE Happy People!