In church this morning, our pastor spoke on the topic of a heart of gratitude. I was convicted by some of the descriptions he used to explain a heart of ungratefulness:
-unrealistic expecations of others
-forgetfulness of others acts of service towards us
-a sense of entitlement
-not taking the grace of God seriously
He told a fable of a Hungarian man who went to visit a Jewish rabbi. The Hungarian confessed to the rabbi that he was going crazy because there were nine people living in his one room home. Without hesitation the rabbi said, "Go home, and bring your goat into your home. Do this for seven days and come back." Of course after the seven days were through the man went back to the rabbi and was distraught. The goat was smelly, load, and was wreaking havoc on the nine people who lived in this one room home. I'm sure you can tell where this parable is going. The rabbi told the man to remove the goat and come back in another week. When the man returned for the last time, his countenance was completely changed. He was rejoicing that he was able to spend time with his family without the nasty goat interferring.
One of my dearest friends, Summer, and her family are walking through what I would consider a house with many goats right now. And yet they rejoice. It puts my petty grievances to shame. Seeing how Summer and her husband Rick will yet praise thier Jesus in the midst of this trial overwhelms me and humbles me to the point of no words. Watching them continue to minister to others in our church through their pain is such a testimony to how the Lord doesnt call us to just sit and feel sorry for ourselves when life seems like it's too much. Seeing them love thier three children (and one another) so tenderly and intenionally through this challenges me to be more purposeful with my own family.
-unrealistic expecations of others
-forgetfulness of others acts of service towards us
-a sense of entitlement
-not taking the grace of God seriously
He told a fable of a Hungarian man who went to visit a Jewish rabbi. The Hungarian confessed to the rabbi that he was going crazy because there were nine people living in his one room home. Without hesitation the rabbi said, "Go home, and bring your goat into your home. Do this for seven days and come back." Of course after the seven days were through the man went back to the rabbi and was distraught. The goat was smelly, load, and was wreaking havoc on the nine people who lived in this one room home. I'm sure you can tell where this parable is going. The rabbi told the man to remove the goat and come back in another week. When the man returned for the last time, his countenance was completely changed. He was rejoicing that he was able to spend time with his family without the nasty goat interferring.
One of my dearest friends, Summer, and her family are walking through what I would consider a house with many goats right now. And yet they rejoice. It puts my petty grievances to shame. Seeing how Summer and her husband Rick will yet praise thier Jesus in the midst of this trial overwhelms me and humbles me to the point of no words. Watching them continue to minister to others in our church through their pain is such a testimony to how the Lord doesnt call us to just sit and feel sorry for ourselves when life seems like it's too much. Seeing them love thier three children (and one another) so tenderly and intenionally through this challenges me to be more purposeful with my own family.
Our pastor had this quote that left me so convicted:
"Gratitude is not about changed circumstances, rather it is about a changed heart in the midst of unchanged circumstances."
To read more about Rick and Summers journey and to join us in faithfully praying for the Lord to continue carrying them through, please visit:
http://www.graceeffect.blogspot.com/
"Gratitude is not about changed circumstances, rather it is about a changed heart in the midst of unchanged circumstances."
To read more about Rick and Summers journey and to join us in faithfully praying for the Lord to continue carrying them through, please visit:
http://www.graceeffect.blogspot.com/
3 comments:
Praying with you!
Thanks for sharing, Rachel. I'll be praying for your friends.
Oh I just love you so much my beautiful sister! You are such an example and encouragement to me!
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