Gratitude In Action

“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.”

- Henri Frederic Amiel

”And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,  filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”

- The Apostle Paul, Philippians 1:9-11

Friends, it is one thing to be thankful, but even more when our gratitude turns into acts of kindness toward others. Being thankful is often inward-focused, simply being grateful for what we have.

True gratitude is outward-focused, where being grateful for what we have spurs us on toward love and good deeds toward others, desiring to pay our gratitude forward, to positively impact the life of another.

And even then, it is not just “what” we do, but “how” we do it. As Mother Teresa said it so well, “It is not how much we do, but how much love we put into doing it.”

That was the Apostle Paul’s prayer as well, that our love would abound more and more... that our attitude of gratitude would manifest itself in how we treated those around us and how we responded to their needs. Serve Day, this past Saturday, was a great opportunity for us to do that, and my heart is full from the privilege of serving alongside all of you who joined us as Kit Carson Park, Escondido City Hall, and the Alabaster Jar Project’s Grace House; but as Pastor Jay Kim reminded us a couple of weeks ago, it is not about what we do one time, but how we share with others anytime we see a need.

When we have plenty, do we hoard and protect it, or does our gratitude for what we have cause us to constantly look for ways to bless others who are up against a wall?

This Thanksgiving, and beyond, may our focus go beyond being thankful for what we have, but with grateful hearts, open our eyes to the needs around us, and put our gratitude in action.

I hope and pray you have a blessed Thanksgiving, one filled with love and gratitude for what God has given you, and one that spills out in love for others.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Pastor Ken

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