|
GailFriends - Gratitude Attitude
|
GailFriends – Gratitude Attitude
By Gail Golden
Publicist and Ministry Partner - Pocket Full of Change Ministries
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good…Psalm 118:1 KJV
A song from the 1950’s is one of my favorites: “Count your blessing, name them one by one - Count your blessings see what God has done”. That song helped me get through some tough times in my life by always focusing on the good. That song, in addition to three gratitude mentors, helped to shape my attitude of gratitude.
First, my grannie, Fannie Griner, comes to mind. Grannie reared 11 children on a farm during the Depression. Although poor by most standards, she always had a thankful heart, and shared what she had with others. One of my fondest memories as a child was visiting her. At night, I’d crawl into her big, old, creaky iron bed with the cloud-like feather mattress. As Grannie sank wearily down on her side of the bed, she’d breathe out a whispered, “Praise the Lord.” This was the way she closed out every day, no matter how difficult that day had been. Grannie also taught me to count my blessings. Each night, we’d think out loud about how much we had to be thankful for, and I’d drift off to sleep feeling so content. I think her influence helped me to always feel like I am rich, no matter what my bank account says.
Second, my father, John Wesley Griner, was a big influence on my attitude of gratitude. Daddy taught me to be thankful for little things, like the shoes on my feet. He told me how shoes were the usual gift he and his ten brothers and sisters received for Christmas. Those shoes had to last all year, and if they pinched later on, they went barefooted. He grew up in the Depression, so having enough food to eat, clothes to wear, and a roof over his head were not taken for granted.
Daddy worked outside in road construction all of his life, but always thanked God, whether it was rainy or sunny, and never complained about it. One of Daddy’s favorite sayings was, “These are the best years of your life”. Funny, he said that when I was a child, when I was a teenager, and when I was grown with children of my own. He was right in every instance. My father worked extremely hard his whole life, but when he passed away at 75, his last words were “I’ve had a good life.” I feel the same way, even though I’ve faced some daunting challenges along the way.
Third, my elderly Jamaican neighbor, Carmita, was perhaps my greatest influence in learning to be thankful. As a young woman, burdened with all kinds of problems, Carmita taught me to be thankful in prayer. Once a week, we’d get together to pray. Carmita would start out praising the Lord and go on for 30 minutes, thanking God for everything under the sun. At first, I grew impatient, thinking my problems were more important than praising God. But, I learned from her example.
At 80, she was healthy and strong, loving and giving, and excited to be alive every day. I can still remember her radiant, smiling face and tearful voice as she said, “Thank you Lord, that I can see, and hear, and walk, and talk, and think, and that I have strength to work for You!” Carmita’s influence of gratitude lives on in me, as I now pray that same prayer every day myself.
As I grow older, I am more and more thankful to have had Grannie, Daddy, and Carmita as mentors, and for their lives that exemplified gratitude. I pray I will set the same example for those who know me.
Gail Golden is a ministry partner with and the (insert role) for Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information to schedule a speaker for an event go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden at 904 316-5462.
© Pocket Full of Change Ministries
|
|