Several years ago I felt as if the Lord was working specifically on some areas of my life that needed tweaking. I called it the 3-Gs year. The areas I was convicted about were to be Grateful, to be Generous and to be Grumbleless. Before you start thinking that should have been a decade long process, I agree! I know that these areas will undoubtedly be a lifelong struggle and goal to work toward.
George Herbert, a 1600’s theologian and Anglican priest, wrote,"Thou that hast given so much to me, give one thing more, a grateful heart."I love that sentiment, and I desire to live a life of gratitude with the vision to see the things around me that I so often take for granted. Everyone has trials with which they struggle, but I feel as if I have been blessed with so much more than most, and I don't want to have to have poor health, or financial difficulties or broken relationships before I can appreciate just how blessed I have been and am.
In the same way, David and I have a strong desire to be generous. In Luke 12:48, Jesus says, "To whom much is given, much will be required ". That makes sense. If we have the means to help others who may be without, we should do so, as we aren't just islands with no obligation to the rest of mankind. As I looked for Bible verses on this subject, I found other sources in addition to the Good Book, that encourage us in the same manner. In the movie, "Spider-man", Uncle Ben says to Peter Parker, "With great power comes great responsibility." Bill Gates, who is a wonderful example of generosity said in his address to Harvard graduates, " My mother, who was filled with pride the day I was admitted (to Harvard), never stopped pressing me to do more for others...” and "From those to whom much is given, much is expected." Whether it is a Boy Scout selling popcorn, someone who has run onto hard times, our team members, or refugees from across the globe, I want to be able to give back some of the abundance with which I have been blessed.
Grumbleless. (My spellcheck is complaining that this isn't even a real word.) This might be the most difficult of the 3-Gs, because complaining is such a respectable vice. Webster's Dictionary defines "complaining" as "saying something expressing annoyance or dissatisfaction". Hey, we live in Montana! The weather is worth complaining about nearly six months out of twelve! If that were the only thing I grumbled about, I doubt that I would have been convicted. I think I could have a general air of dissatisfaction about much of life if I were to leave it unchecked. If there is something I can make better, why not try to help instead of grumbling? It is my observation that those people who always have a complaint are not nearly as much fun to be around as those who see life from a positive aspect. That's the kind of person I want to be.
Gratitude. Generosity. Grumblelessness. My own personal convictions and my areas of weakness. This Christmas season, my goal is to see and to appreciate more than ever, those things that I have been given. To turn that gratitude into generosity toward others and to get through an hour without grumbling. Great weather we're having, isn't it?
-Jennie Lockie
George Herbert, a 1600’s theologian and Anglican priest, wrote,"Thou that hast given so much to me, give one thing more, a grateful heart."I love that sentiment, and I desire to live a life of gratitude with the vision to see the things around me that I so often take for granted. Everyone has trials with which they struggle, but I feel as if I have been blessed with so much more than most, and I don't want to have to have poor health, or financial difficulties or broken relationships before I can appreciate just how blessed I have been and am.
In the same way, David and I have a strong desire to be generous. In Luke 12:48, Jesus says, "To whom much is given, much will be required ". That makes sense. If we have the means to help others who may be without, we should do so, as we aren't just islands with no obligation to the rest of mankind. As I looked for Bible verses on this subject, I found other sources in addition to the Good Book, that encourage us in the same manner. In the movie, "Spider-man", Uncle Ben says to Peter Parker, "With great power comes great responsibility." Bill Gates, who is a wonderful example of generosity said in his address to Harvard graduates, " My mother, who was filled with pride the day I was admitted (to Harvard), never stopped pressing me to do more for others...” and "From those to whom much is given, much is expected." Whether it is a Boy Scout selling popcorn, someone who has run onto hard times, our team members, or refugees from across the globe, I want to be able to give back some of the abundance with which I have been blessed.
Grumbleless. (My spellcheck is complaining that this isn't even a real word.) This might be the most difficult of the 3-Gs, because complaining is such a respectable vice. Webster's Dictionary defines "complaining" as "saying something expressing annoyance or dissatisfaction". Hey, we live in Montana! The weather is worth complaining about nearly six months out of twelve! If that were the only thing I grumbled about, I doubt that I would have been convicted. I think I could have a general air of dissatisfaction about much of life if I were to leave it unchecked. If there is something I can make better, why not try to help instead of grumbling? It is my observation that those people who always have a complaint are not nearly as much fun to be around as those who see life from a positive aspect. That's the kind of person I want to be.
Gratitude. Generosity. Grumblelessness. My own personal convictions and my areas of weakness. This Christmas season, my goal is to see and to appreciate more than ever, those things that I have been given. To turn that gratitude into generosity toward others and to get through an hour without grumbling. Great weather we're having, isn't it?
-Jennie Lockie