Gratitude lesson

Basketball season is in full swing!   and so are practices, away games, and unexpected injuries. 

As I was dropping my son off at one of these away basketball games at a cross town Christian school, I noticed a bible verse posted on the gate entering the pathway leading up to the school gym.  It simply read Psalm 100:4.   Some christian schools like to do these strategically placed verses as reminders throughout the campus.   For example,  …’ whoever restrains his words has knowledge…Proverbs 17:27 ‘ sign in the library OR ‘man shall not live on bread alone, but every word of God’ -Luke 4:4 sign in the cafeteria.

But something told me to take a second to actually look this verse up.  I guess I was searching for God’s voice in this hectic, errand filled Saturday.    So I did, on my bible app, read it and tucked it away in my heart. 

Then this verse was revealed to me a couple more times this month.  Hmm so I think maybe God is trying to tell me something.   

Second time I came upon it was in my recovery lesson.   We are now on lesson in Gratitude, no coincidence right?  The third time , was today, Thanksgiving.   So as you can see I’ve been reflecting a lot on this verse.  And what it means in my daily life and recovery. 

I love seeing my youngest son, Micah’s thanksgiving projects.  He still at that age where he brings home some for us to enjoy.   One recently was a construction paper made turkey with different color feathers and on each feather was something written that  he was thankful for. My heart was filled with pride and joy to see some immaterial things like family, and brothers.  

We all know it’s important to be grateful.  Yet, it definitely has had a different meaning since I’ve been in recovery.   As I become stronger in my faith, I learn gratitude is not simply listing those material blessings.  Of course I’m always grateful for those- a good job, home, car that works.  But gratitude starts to become remembering the creator and being grateful for simply who he is ‘praising’ our God despite our circumstances. 

It’s important to be thankful in recovery for me,  to recognize what God has done in my life. It combats the negativity, depression that might creep into my mind at times.   The boredom, the doubt, insecurities,  those things that would send me reaching for the bottle to pacify.   It helps me focus less on what I do not have and more on what God has blessed me with.  When life gets stressful, it keeps me from getting into a funk. An attitude of gratitude finds me turning to God for my true joy and happiness rather than the temporary instant gratification l was seeking in drinking.   Or might attempt to seek in shopping, eating, or other unhealthy habit. 

I am thankful to God that he answered my prayer that day, three years ago and took away my taste for alcohol. Even though there’s days I still think about it, those days are fewer now.  My decision to quit was one of God’s greatest intervention in my life.  I am thankful for the people God has placed in my recovery such as my sponsor, Celebrate Recovery, small groups, church family and my husband.  

Being grateful makes me feel hopeful, more joyful.  And would you believe? it physically changes my body—my muscles are less tense and more relaxed as I feel closer to my Creator and loved by Him.   I even often prescribe it as a treatment plan for anxiety or depression. 

As a family physician, I am called to address an array of illnesses including the emotional. Keeping a ‘grateful journal’ is just one tool I might suggest.  I recommend giving this a try, especially if you're suffering from insomnia and especially before reaching for that sleep aid.  

So as I reflect on that verse, as it kept coming to me again, then again.   I can’t help but think of this image of entering gates.   I watched my son enter the gates to walk to his basketball game.   When I leave  and come back home, I pass through security gates of our apartment complex.   When I go to work , I enter gates that take me to the employee parking lot.   Sometimes I need a security pass/key/code to enter these gates.   When we die, we’ll enter the pearly ‘gates’.   One might say entering the gates signifies going into a different place.   We enter HIS gates when we come to God’s presence.  And  yes, God is so faithful to meet us there.    And gratitude might be our security pass/code/key to enter those gates.    Gratitude is the key to get us to that place!  His courts may be, our work, our home , or just the new season of life that we find ourselves in.   We must remember to hold onto this attitude of gratitude even before we enter the gates to the games or the battles we face.

So no matter what season you're in, I pray that you enter his gates with thanksgiving.  Do not be overwhelmed by the upcoming hustle and bustle of the holidays.  Its a Martha world, but you can always come to Jesus feet.  Remember if you're reading this now, it means you have a computer and must be doing well, and have so much to be thankful for.  

thank you for letting me share! 

-hopeful girl, sober for 3 years, 4 months, 1 week and 4 days.  hopeful for another more.