Foundation of Gratitude

by Dr. Paul Chappell

"The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation. It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me, And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name. He is the tower of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore."

2 Samuel 22:47-51

The foundation of gratitude is the expectation of nothing.

I once read an author's account of a lesson in gratitude:

A few years ago I happened upon Sonny Payne. He was a poor homeless man who panhandled in the subway station every day. Everything was as it had always been for years and years-he had a great pitch and approached the cranky subway riders with humility and understanding "If you don't have it, I understand because I don't have it either." As he passed through the cars on this day with hat in hand collecting spare change something welled up inside me. Sonny had always been "my panhandler" who I would always make sure I contributed to. But today was different.

I watched Sonny carefully. He had an ever-present smile on his face and a "God Bless You" to anyone who smiled at him or helped him out as the train chugged onward. Instead of going onto the next car Sonny rode all the way to my subway stop in Brooklyn and got off. This was highly unusual. My inner voice told me to make sure he was ok. Just that morning, I had made a solemn promise to always listen to that voice when I heard it. So there was no way out-I had to take an action.

I ran down the platform to talk to Sonny who was going the opposite direction. When I called his name he turned and smiled at me as if he'd known me all my life. I asked him if he had enough money to eat that night. He humbly said it would be ok, not to worry. But I knew that wasn't the truth. I handed him a bill from my purse and asked him again if that was enough. His eyes lit up as he told me that he would be staying at a church that night and that not only was it enough to eat-it was enough for him to help someone else pay for their stay that night too. He proceeded to tell me how grateful he was to have helpful people in his life and how blessed he was.

I was absolutely stunned. This man seemingly had nothing. But Sonny didn't feel he didn't have anything. In his mind he was rich and grateful. To share and celebrate his "success" with someone else gave him so much joy.

Sonny wasn't simply focused on providing for himself. His desire was to obtain enough money to help others less fortunate than him. Even though he had nothing, he thought of others.

How often do we focus on what we can get or how to provide for ourselves without thinking of those less fortunate than us? We are no better than anyone else. Yet many times we can pass by others without stopping to help.

When was the last time you helped an old lady gather items on her shopping list? When was the last time you carved out time in your schedule to sit and listen to someone who's hurting? When was the last time you bought a meal for a family in financial trouble? Rather than always expecting to be showered with gifts, live your life giving of yourself to others. Thank God for what you already have and commit to focusing on others rather than yourself today.