gratitude and worship

      

Christians agree, at least philosophically, that we ought to be grateful people- but then we struggle to mind the gap between theology and practical living. . .  I see the gap in me.

So, I dug deep and ruminated long over the root of two worldviews: What the world tells women and what God tells women about gratitude. 

Because the sin of man affects a culture, the world tells us that it's totally acceptable to gripe and complain when things don't go our way. The world tells women to be grateful when it's convenient, when life looks good, but on the whole, griping thanklessness, sporadic gratitude define the world's way. (just watch and listen in line at the grocery store, in the airport, inside you and me. . .)

But then, all humanity yearns for relief from the misery of sin; by and by the world has discovered 

that gratitude is good. At  "greater good-the science of a meaningful life" experts tell us that people who actively become more grateful in their every day lives are happier, healthier, sleep better; the world's expert on gratitude will teach you how to keep a gratitude journal that will create meaning in your life. A recent article asks, "Can gratitude help you thrive?"

hmmm. . .the world embraces a torn edge of truth- gratitude does produce a sense of well being, gratitude lifts our spirits because that's how God created us! The world mixes up good and bad, expounds the benefits of gratitude, tells us to feel good about being grateful.

Like so much of life, what I do with gratitude depends on who or what I worship.

(of course, there's more. . .)