Pay It Forward

 The address is handwritten, a personal letter to me. I open it like a child receiving an unexpected gift. The summation of the words are, "Just thinking about you." Someone took the time to sit down with pen and card just for me. I'm deeply touched. But months go by and I have not even acknowledged my thanks.

Ingratitude. I can be guilty of it.

It can be the first step in taking my focus off of God. When I take simple blessings for granted as if I am entitled, ingratitude can thrive. Entitlement. Unrealistic expectations. I never really thought I was guilty too much of these until the Lord revealed it to me through scripture.

"Although they knew God they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened." Romans 1:21

It always begins in the home. I gaze at my homelife as an outsider looking in, with a different perspective now. I can see with new eyes how the undercurrent of ingratitude creeps in through cracks and crevices of what should be our safe place. Affecting the ones we say we love the most, it occurs when I begin to have expectations that are unrealistic. Expecting God's unchanging love and faithfulness to be found in another person can only result in dissappointment. This has ruined many a marriage.
I am taking a challenge that I hope you will join me in. For the next thirty days (since that's how long it takes to make a habit out) I am going to focus on two behaviors I want to cultivate in myself that will cause me to have a more grateful spirit to my husband. This concept can be applied to all family members as well.

1. Avoid the ugly. Try to not say anything negative either to your husband or about him to someone else.
2. Point out the good. Share regularly things you admire about him to him and to others.

Time to "pay it forward". I reach for my pen, pull out the unused stationary from my drawer and I begin.