Flame of Fire Ministries

Experiencing Gratitude

To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything he has given us — and he has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of his love. Every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from him.

Gratitude, therefore, takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God; for the grateful person knows that God is good not by hearsay but by experience, and that is what makes all the difference.

—Thomas Merton 

Thanksgiving Beatitudes

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary, because it means you’ve made a difference.

—Author unknown 

From Harm to Good

Squanto, the Native American who helped the Pilgrims, has a background remarkably similar to that of Joseph in Genesis.

Years before the Pilgrims arrived in America, English traders kidnapped Squanto and other Native Americans and sold them as slaves in Spain. Incredibly, Squanto was bought by monks, who set him free and taught him about Jesus. Later Squanto sailed to England, hoping for passage to America. But he had to wait years, so he worked as a stable hand and learned English. Finally able to travel home, he was devastated to find his tribe wiped out by smallpox.

A couple of years later, the Pilgrims came ashore, tired, sick and having lost many shipmates on the way. Implausibly, they encountered an English-speaking Native American, who shared his friendship and knowledge. Like Joseph going from his homeland to Egypt and from slave to expert leader, Squanto experienced God’s leading — even when the path was littered with misfortune.

Using Squanto, God saved a whole community. What some intended for harm, God turned into good (see Genesis 50:20).