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Surely the fall season and the Thanksgiving holiday will result in us spending some time thinking about what makes us thankful.  Hopefully we don’t have to spend a lot of time on that question for we as God’s children do have a lot to be thankful for.

I believe there is a close link between a thankful heart and a contented heart.  I have no scientific data to prove my opinion, but I think that a contented heart is more likely to be a thankful heart, and a thankful heart is more likely to be a contented heart.  As I grew up in a home where God provided the essentials and not a lot beyond that, mother frequently reminded us that we were called to be both grateful and contented.  Mother would often quote I Timothy 6:8 (KJV)  “And having food and raiment let us therewith be content.”  (I don’t think the average Gen Z er would have any idea what raiment is!)

            Are folks born with contented hearts or are these acquired attributes?  I think that there certainly are people who are more contented and thankful that others, but I suspect that these are products of the radical heart change the Lord brings about as we yield ourselves to him and his plans and purposes for our lives.

            Now if the Lord works with us to develop a thankful and contented heart, surely a happy heart will follow.  If you were to ask a few people: ‘What makes you happy?” many would dream of a financial goal, a fabulous cruise, or winning some competition, such as having their name on the Stanley Cup.

            However, there is continuing evidence that while realizing these dreams may bring some moments of happiness, the moments quickly fade and in many cases an emptiness invades the human spirit.  Tom Brady whom many believe to be the best ever NFL player, won several Super Bowls but acknowledged this reality.  The antidote for emptiness is the development of a contented and thankful heart and the realization that true happiness and fulfillment comes not from what one can achieve for oneself, but what one can do for others.

            If one has not learned to be content and thankful, the quest for happiness will be the continual pursuit of dreams for ‘more’. Author J.R. Miller tells the story of a lady who was asked the question: ‘What was her ideal of happiness?’. Her answer: ‘My ideal of happiness is the helping of somebody up’.

A couple of important verses to consider as we ponder thankfulness, contentment, and happiness.  Matthew 20:28 (NLT) For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.  Hebrews 12:2 (NLT) Because of the joy awaiting him, he (Jesus) endured the cross, disregarding its shame.

May your holiday season be one of happiness, thankfulness and contentment!  Pastor Dave