My daughter, Aurora, wanted a keyboard for her 10th birthday last year. She had already been taking piano lessons for almost a year and wanted to explore creating more music with the technology a keyboard has to offer. So, we got her one. When her big day arrived, I was discussing with my husband, Rob, how to present her with the gift and we decided to go the gag gift/ surprise gift route, being the pranksters that we are. As an avid reader and book collector, I was able to find a vintage music hour book of American folk songs to “gift” her after dinner that night. I wrapped it in my usual snowman wrapping paper; a roll I’ve had for a literal decade, purchased at Ollie’s when they used to sell wrapping paper the size of a small tree. I put it at her place setting and called everyone to dinner. She sat down, looking excitedly at the small package while we ate. The time came for her to open the “gift.” She did so with a smile, which did not fade as she saw what she had received. “Oh, thank you,” she said with gratitude. But, a mother knows that behind those eyes was a glimmer of disappointment at not having received a keyboard. “It’s for you to learn more songs on the piano.” I said, “Open the cover.” Inside the front cover of the book was a happy birthday note with a final instruction that it was time to go measure her height (a birthday tradition to see how much she had grown that year.) We all got up and headed to the kitchen hallway where her height board is kept. And there, leaning against the wall in that same Ollie’s wrapping paper, was the keyboard. “What’s that?!” I asked as she began ripping at the paper. Pure joy came over her as she realized her gift was not an old book.
Now, even though I knew she was secretly disappointed when she opened the first “gift,” I was blessed by how she handled the situation with poise and grace, showing an element of gratitude for having received even a little something on her birthday. There are adults who would not have handled it so well. That’s not to say she’s always so gracious, she certainly has her moments. But, in that particular moment, there was a lesson for all of us.
How well do we behave in the face of disappointment? Do we throw mini, or even not so mini, fits of child-size tantrums, or adult-sized? Do we trash talk the person or persons who disappointed us, using recruitment tactics to get others on board with our ill-fitting disappointment? Or, perhaps, we dive head-first in to vindictive silence toward the object of our disappointment.
Maybe it’s time to grow up and realize life is going to have disappointing moments. People aren’t always going to do things, give you things, or behave in ways that meet your expectations. We can take those moments and learn the art of gratitude in the face of them.
It’s an, “attitude of gratitude,” as many of us have heard it called. And as believers, we are given instruction over and over in His Word to walk in gratitude.
What is gratitude: By definition, gratitude is the quality of being thankful, readiness to show appreciation and to return kindness.
Thankful: pleased and relieved.
Appreciation: recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something.
Kindness: the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
Now that we know what those words mean, what does His Word say about them?
“Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.” Colossians 2:6 NASB
“This expression, ‘Yet once more,’ denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12: 27-29 NASB
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. “ Psalm 100: 4 The Scriptures
“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5: 14-18 NKJV
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and displeasure, and uproar, and slander be put away from you, along with all evil. And be kind towards one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as Elohim also forgave you.” Ephesians 4: 31-32 The Scriptures
“Rejoice on Yahovah always, again I say rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Master is near. Do not worry at all, but in every matter, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be make known to Elohim. And the peace of Elohim, which surpasses all understanding, shall guard your hearts and minds through Messiah Yahshua. For the rest, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, if there is any uprightness and if there is any praise, think on these.” Philippians 4: 4-8 The Scriptures
So, whenever life lets you down (and it will let you down) remember to think on those things which are true, noble, lovely, of a good report, upright, and if there’s any praise. If you focus on the negative, it will affect you in negative ways. It will bring you down, perhaps even lead to mental health issues like depression, anxiety, worry, and bitterness. But, if you focus on the positive, adopting an attitude of gratitude, it is sure to lift you up and even make life a little sweeter.
In His Service,
Rebecca Hamilton, Founder/ Executive Director
For Every Great Battle, There is a Great Victory!!