A lady's grandson was playing in the water, she was standing on the beach not wanting to get her feet wet, when all of a sudden, a huge wave appeared from nowhere and crashed directly over the spot where the boy was wading.

The water receded and the boy was no longer there. He simply vanished. She held her hands to the sky, screamed and cried, "Lord, how could you? Have I not been a wonderful mother and grandmother? Have I not tried my very best to live a life that you would be proud of?"

A few minutes later another huge wave appeared out of nowhere and crashed on the beach. As the water receded, the boy was standing there, smiling, splashing around as if nothing had ever happened. A loud voice boomed from the sky, "Okay, okay, I have returned your grandson. Are you satisfied?"

She responded, "He had a hat."² 

Some people are never happy. They are always thinking of what they don’t have versus what they already enjoy. Our focus will affect our attitude and how meaningful our lives are.

We recently moved into a new home, and while some may call it a “fixer upper”, I stood at the kitchen sink washing dishes this morning, looking at the mountains through the window, and my heart was overflowing with gratitude. I had running water coming out of the faucet, I live in a peaceful neighborhood, my kids have plenty of space to run and play, we are healthy, we have work… I am blessed.

A grateful heart makes all the difference in how happy we are, but gratitude does not come naturally, instead it is a choice we intentionally make. God gives abundantly in many different ways. Let us acknowledge and thank him for these blessings and learn to be satisfied with what he has already given us!

Suggested prayer: Lord, your blessings are abundant and there will always be something to be thankful for. You have allowed me to live in a place where I enjoy things like running water, electricity, and food on a daily basis. Help me never to take this for granted. I pray for those that don’t have these resources readily available. Help me be aware of how I can bless someone else today. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.

1. Psalm 9:1.

2. www.sermoncentral.com

Today’s Encounter was written by: Crystal B.