Better Together

The Power of "Thank You" - Episode 1010

November 22, 2024 | S6:E1010

A simple "thank you" holds the power to transform our lives, repair relationships, and bring peace to any storm. When we live with a sense of gratitude, our perspective shifts, and our hearts grow to care for others in ways we never imagined. | TBN Prayer Line: 714-731-1000

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Better Together | The Power of "Thank You" - Episode 1010 | November 22, 2024

Thank you.
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Two simple words that can touch our hearts and grow
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Relationships. when we honor each other, we
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Honor our creator.
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Come on, let's talk about it.
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♪♪
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I have loved this week honestly. just made me
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Think about not just having a season of
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Thanksgiving, but a lifestyle of thanksgiving
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Because i think when we get in that time of year,
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I always look forward to it, where it's like
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Pumpkins everywhere and the weather's cooler.
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Get to wear orange, wear boots.
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And i love that season.
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I'm not a summer girl. but i was thinking about
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Everything you've shared over this week and how
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Much my life has been enriched by it.
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I have to come back to this passage, the letter
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To the philippians.
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I love the letter to the philippians because it's
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A letter that is literally dripping
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With joy.
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I mean it's unbelievable.
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And yet paul is chained to a roman soldier and
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Yet he's saying to the people he's writing,
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Listen, i know you know that i'm chained up.
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Don't be discouraged because here's the deal.
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All the guards know why i'm here.
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I'm not here because i'm mugged some old lady.
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I'm not here because i robbed something.
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I'm here because
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I love jesus and i'm not going to run.
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So they know i'm here.
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We're all good.
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And then he says, and all the other believers, they
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See i'm here and they see how i'm doing and they're
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Getting stronger too,
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Which is what i think about better together.
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I think we share our stories and we think, you
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Know what?
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You were there.
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You did that with the lord.
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I can do this too.
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So i read philippians regularly, but i always
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Stop at this one verse, which is something i've
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Had underlined in my bible for years and we
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All know it.
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Philippians chapter four, where it says in verse
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Six, don't worry about anything.
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Instead pray about everything.
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Tell god what you need and thank him for all he
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Has done.
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I remember we went through a season with
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Our son.
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He's now out of grad school and in his own
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Life and doing brilliantly, but when he
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Went to college, when he was 19, he was dating
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A girl.
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And i just knew it was wrong.
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Not the one.
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Well, i saw the difference in my son.
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I saw him diminishing.
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I saw him-- because he's just always been this
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Bright full of life and i saw him losing confidence
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In himself and it was like somebody turned the
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Light down just dimmed.
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But i know him well enough to know he's got
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Such a compassionate heart.
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And so if i had said to him, listen, i don't
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Think this girl is the right one for you, it
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Would've pushed him even further.
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His natural tendency would be to defend and to
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Protect and to stand up for.
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So i thought, okay lord, what do i do?
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So i've got this verse and i write it out on a
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Card and literally for a year my husband barry and
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I would walk around our house at night around the
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Neighborhood, we'd take our little dog out
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And we begin.
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We would pray, but we began with thanksgiving
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Because i thought if i just-- i mean, i could
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Easily get into this place.
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Oh lord, please, you've got to move this girl out.
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This is not good.
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But i thought, no, i know that when i was told my
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Son was not compatible with life, i was told to
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Abort this darling child.
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And i thought, no.
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And he actually has written in hebrew a
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Tattoo over his heart that says god's hand of
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Protection over his heart.
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So i began to thank god for the plans he had for him.
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I began to thank god for the woman that had been
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Prepared for him. since the moment i knew i was
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Pregnant with a boy,
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I began praying for the girl.
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And i have to tell you just the simple act of
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Saying thank you every single day, we took one
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Day a week and we fasted and prayed for a year
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Because i thought, this is serious.
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Who your children, it's not like it's our
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Decision, but who they choose to marry.
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Absolutely.
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It's a huge deal.
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Big deal.
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We fasted and prayed one day out a week and then
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Every single day we walked around the house
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At night and we prayed and we just out loud-- i'm
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Sure our neighbors thought we'd lost the
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Lot, but out loud we literally would say,
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Thank you lord, thank you for the plans you have
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For this boy.
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Thank you for what you're doing in his life.
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Thank you for the change.
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Thank for the people you're going to bring
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Into his life that he's not even met yet.
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And i have to tell you, a couple nights ago when he
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Was over sitting around our dining room table and
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I was just looking at him and his countenance and
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The peace and the fulfillment in his work
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And this darling girlfriend, i just
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Thought the thing that shifted in me was taking
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Time out intentionally every single day to say
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To god, thank you, thank you.
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I dunno what it's going to look like yet.
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And even if he goes ahead and makes some bizarre
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Decisions, i'm going to keep thanking you because
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You've not finished yet.
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The story's not done yet.
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There's so much more that's going on.
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Choosing to be thankful and grateful with a
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Grateful attitude and a grateful heart and being
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Thankful for something just out of obedience
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That is for you.
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That is to change something on the
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Inside of me.
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And it's a powerful choice that i can do
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For myself.
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And the moments that i have chose to do that in
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Times when i didn't feel like it, i didn't feel
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Like being thankful for the situation, but i did
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It out of obedience knowing i was going to
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Plant a seed in the ground and i was going to
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Make a big exchange.
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That was for my benefit, it was for my freedom, it
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Was for my soul, it was for my peace, it was
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For my joy.
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And i'm telling you, god uses those times in a
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More powerful way than you can ever imagine.
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I wondered for all of you, have there been
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Moments in your life, whether all your years of
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Ministry in the church or the different situations
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You've been in, i mean the years you've poured
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Into ministry here at tbn and then toni with all
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You've walked through, was there ever a moment
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Where saying thank you to someone shifted
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The atmosphere?
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You might be even in a place where there's
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Conflict or things are not going well, but
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Suddenly you begin to thank someone and it
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Changes what's going on in somebody else's life?
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Yeah, there is a voice in our life.
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It's very important.
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It's a lawyer, so very relevant.
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But about coming up on two years ago, we just,
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Matt and i felt like we were supposed to do
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Something and i got to the point where i
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Thought, if we don't say yes, this might be the
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Last time god ever speak to us.
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And i felt that so strongly that i didn't
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Know what to do with it.
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And it was an impossible thing to do and i knew
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It, but it was like i had such fear of the lord
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After this few hours praying about it and just
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Feeling god's presence and him asking me where
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My faith was.
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But this lawyer had said, you guys are crazy.
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We can't do this.
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And my husband came in after i had been praying,
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Just wanting to throw up.
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I just knew this was impossible.
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But man, after my encounter with god, it
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Was like, we have to do this and we can't say no
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Because i felt like we would never do another
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Thing significant for god.
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We will exist for the rest of our lives never
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Doing unless we take this step of faith.
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And i text this guy and i said, i am so thankful
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For your voice in my life because it has focused my
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Faith and it was his voice.
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It could have been very negative.
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I could have been really mad at him.
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I could have said, you know what, we don't need
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Him anymore.
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But man, it was so valuable to me to hear
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His voice because it focused my faith.
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I've had stuff like that, laurie, where people either
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Didn't agree with me or opposed my idea
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Or whatever.
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And i learned many, many years ago, there's always
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Something to be thankful for.
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And when that person would write to me, we got
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Letters about stuff, and instead of feeling like
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You're a hundred percent wrong and i'm a hundred
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Percent right, how about-- and it changed everything
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In the way i was able to handle the situation was
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To say, you know what?
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Thank you for your time.
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Thank you for your effort to share this with me.
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Your point of view.
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You are a hundred percent right.
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We can't do it without gossip.
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Thank you.
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Exactly.
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But you honored him.
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You see what i'm saying is that honor is a
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Privilege and generosity, the bible says in psalms
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Makes the world get larger for the person
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Who's generous.
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And just by retaining that relationship, you
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Have a voice that gives you a different
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Point of view.
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So when we silence everyone around us who
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Can't tell us what they think or their
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Perspective on something, we're cutting off a
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Resource and a gift in our life. when you're
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Willing to look at someone and go, well, i
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Don't agree with you
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And it does turn out that we did do
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The right decision.
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I don't agree with you, but thank you for caring
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Enough about me, enough about the ministry.
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And i got to tell you, i wrote letter after
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Letter, thank you for taking your time.
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Thank you for sharing your point of view.
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I'm going to pray about what you told me.
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Didn't mean i changed my mind, didn't mean that i
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Lost my focus, but it did give me the opportunity
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To hear other people.
00:10:05.027 --> 00:10:07.163
And that bridge, one of the things we've been
00:10:07.163 --> 00:10:10.633
Talking about is how thankfulness, the
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Scripture that we were looking at talked about
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Thankfulness brings peace.
00:10:14.737 --> 00:10:18.441
Well, how do you have peace with people if you
00:10:18.441 --> 00:10:20.543
Can't listen and you can't be thankful for who
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They are. now, i hope maybe they'll change
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Their mind and agree with me.
00:10:29.885 --> 00:10:31.787
But that doesn't mean that the gratitude
00:10:31.787 --> 00:10:33.656
Doesn't change the atmosphere of
00:10:33.656 --> 00:10:36.292
The conversation.
00:10:36.292 --> 00:10:38.060
And in our world, we need to be able to have a
00:10:38.060 --> 00:10:41.831
Conversation without a complete annihilation of
00:10:41.831 --> 00:10:47.536
The relationship.
00:10:47.536 --> 00:10:49.338
And opposition can clarify a vision too.
00:10:49.338 --> 00:10:51.574
Yes, i think you can think something is the right
00:10:51.574 --> 00:10:54.043
Thing to do and then other people come up and
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Maybe have great arguments for why it's
00:10:55.978 --> 00:10:58.214
Not, which makes you really dig deep and say,
00:10:58.214 --> 00:11:01.016
Lord, i need to hear from you.
00:11:01.016 --> 00:11:04.220
I believe that churches and communities can
00:11:04.220 --> 00:11:07.156
Discover a new love and awareness of each other
00:11:07.156 --> 00:11:11.994
By expressing gratitude and thankfulness for the
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Differences in our communities.
00:11:17.133 --> 00:11:20.336
We live in a time of division.
00:11:20.336 --> 00:11:22.838
We live in a time of misunderstanding and
00:11:22.838 --> 00:11:25.474
Fear, but what builds a bridge to another person
00:11:25.474 --> 00:11:30.946
Is an awareness and an honor for who they are.
00:11:30.946 --> 00:11:35.050
No, we don't have to agree with everybody.
00:11:35.050 --> 00:11:38.053
The bible doesn't call us to agree necessarily, but
00:11:38.053 --> 00:11:40.956
It calls us to love.
00:11:40.956 --> 00:11:43.526
And love is received when it comes with honor,
00:11:43.526 --> 00:11:47.930
Respect, and thankfulness.
00:11:47.930 --> 00:11:51.233
I encourage you, you can find something to be
00:11:51.233 --> 00:11:55.571
Thankful for in the differences with other
00:11:55.571 --> 00:11:59.208
People because god will show you a way to grow to
00:11:59.208 --> 00:12:03.212
Be more like him and to appreciate his creation,
00:12:03.212 --> 00:12:07.550
Which are all his people.
00:12:07.550 --> 00:12:10.319
For me, there was a time i wasn't like in an
00:12:10.319 --> 00:12:13.289
Identity crisis, but it was a season of growth
00:12:13.289 --> 00:12:16.058
For me in terms of my identity in the lord and
00:12:16.058 --> 00:12:20.396
Kind of purpose for me here on earth.
00:12:20.396 --> 00:12:23.599
And we were in a worship service and it was kind
00:12:23.599 --> 00:12:25.968
Of a prophetic night and one of the pastors gave
00:12:25.968 --> 00:12:28.704
Me a prophetic word and i'm hearing it and i'm
00:12:28.704 --> 00:12:30.940
Like, yeah, right.
00:12:30.940 --> 00:12:32.675
That's kind of what i'm thinking.
00:12:32.675 --> 00:12:34.276
Yeah, right.
00:12:34.276 --> 00:12:35.477
Not really.
00:12:35.477 --> 00:12:36.445
I mean my heart wasn't-- it wasn't cold,
00:12:36.445 --> 00:12:38.547
It was closed off.
00:12:38.547 --> 00:12:39.615
It was just a little, it wasn't connecting.
00:12:39.615 --> 00:12:41.150
The words were saying were more than i saw in
00:12:41.150 --> 00:12:43.886
Myself and different than-- it was awesome.
00:12:43.886 --> 00:12:48.824
It was a great word.
00:12:48.824 --> 00:12:49.758
I just didn't see it in myself really.
00:12:49.758 --> 00:12:51.794
And fast forward, that was probably seven years
00:12:51.794 --> 00:12:55.531
Ago or so.
00:12:55.531 --> 00:12:56.799
So fast forward seven years, i was at a
00:12:56.799 --> 00:12:58.901
Ministry event doing a prophetic conference with
00:12:58.901 --> 00:13:01.871
The same pastor.
00:13:01.871 --> 00:13:03.272
And i got to come back and tell him, because
00:13:03.272 --> 00:13:04.773
Seven years later he writes all of the
00:13:04.773 --> 00:13:06.909
Prophetic words on a yellow sheet of paper.
00:13:06.909 --> 00:13:10.112
And so i had the actual paper to show him.
00:13:10.112 --> 00:13:13.916
So i was able to pull it out and be like, you
00:13:13.916 --> 00:13:16.151
Probably don't even remember when you gave me
00:13:16.151 --> 00:13:17.653
This word, but can i just tell you i'm walking
00:13:17.653 --> 00:13:21.257
In things
00:13:21.257 --> 00:13:22.458
You spoke years ago, that even when you said 'em
00:13:22.458 --> 00:13:25.094
Then they weren't now words.
00:13:25.094 --> 00:13:27.329
They weren't right then.
00:13:27.329 --> 00:13:28.497
They were developed words.
00:13:28.497 --> 00:13:30.099
I grew into them.
00:13:30.099 --> 00:13:32.034
But how precious that i was able to be in that
00:13:32.034 --> 00:13:36.505
Moment and say thank you, that even though i didn't
00:13:36.505 --> 00:13:39.909
See it in myself, god was speaking something to
00:13:39.909 --> 00:13:42.111
Plant a seed that had a harvest.
00:13:42.111 --> 00:13:44.346
We spoke about that.
00:13:44.346 --> 00:13:45.547
It actually really invigorated my faith even
00:13:45.547 --> 00:13:48.851
In walking in the prophetic when i feel
00:13:48.851 --> 00:13:50.619
Like the lord is putting something on my heart to
00:13:50.619 --> 00:13:52.321
Say it because it was such an important part of
00:13:52.321 --> 00:13:56.025
My growth story.
00:13:56.025 --> 00:13:57.459
Isn't that great?
00:13:57.459 --> 00:13:58.227
Yes.
00:13:58.227 --> 00:13:59.295
And so just thinking about having an
00:13:59.295 --> 00:14:00.496
Opportunity, you don't always get the
00:14:00.496 --> 00:14:01.897
Opportunity to come back and say thank you to
00:14:01.897 --> 00:14:04.266
Someone who made such a difference
00:14:04.266 --> 00:14:05.567
In your life.
00:14:05.567 --> 00:14:07.636
One of the most powerful lessons that i've learned
00:14:07.636 --> 00:14:09.672
Is the power that god by his spirit has invested
00:14:09.672 --> 00:14:13.776
In a couple of things.
00:14:13.776 --> 00:14:15.544
One of them is to be able to say, sorry.
00:14:15.544 --> 00:14:19.515
I learned that as a young mom that it was important
00:14:19.515 --> 00:14:22.551
That if i did something and i messed up to be
00:14:22.551 --> 00:14:25.921
Able to say to my son, i'm sorry that was not good.
00:14:25.921 --> 00:14:27.723
Please forgive me.
00:14:27.723 --> 00:14:29.525
But i've also discovered perhaps more recently the
00:14:29.525 --> 00:14:31.827
Power in saying thank you.
00:14:31.827 --> 00:14:34.063
Do you realize how many people, and maybe you're
00:14:34.063 --> 00:14:36.532
One of them who go through their life and
00:14:36.532 --> 00:14:37.933
Nobody bothers to stop and say thanks for what
00:14:37.933 --> 00:14:40.602
You did.
00:14:40.602 --> 00:14:42.171
And so barry and i, and barry is my husband, we
00:14:42.171 --> 00:14:44.573
Have become really intentional that
00:14:44.573 --> 00:14:47.476
Everywhere we go that we try to make eye contact
00:14:47.476 --> 00:14:50.946
With people and say thank you.
00:14:50.946 --> 00:14:52.648
I dunno what kind of job you do.
00:14:52.648 --> 00:14:54.049
Maybe you do a job where you get a lot of
00:14:54.049 --> 00:14:55.451
Recognition and that's great.
00:14:55.451 --> 00:14:57.086
Maybe you're a stay-at-home mom and you
00:14:57.086 --> 00:14:58.754
Have folded the same clothes over and over and
00:14:58.754 --> 00:15:01.623
Over again.
00:15:01.623 --> 00:15:03.225
And somehow when somebody stops and says thank you,
00:15:03.225 --> 00:15:06.428
It can change from what was felt like a burden
00:15:06.428 --> 00:15:08.964
To something
00:15:08.964 --> 00:15:10.366
That's a blessing.
00:15:10.366 --> 00:15:14.336
I think it's important for us to express
00:15:15.237 --> 00:15:17.339
Gratitude because it sets our hearts up for
00:15:17.339 --> 00:15:21.110
So much freedom.
00:15:21.110 --> 00:15:22.911
I think when we are grateful, we get to
00:15:22.911 --> 00:15:25.481
Freely dwell in the things that god has
00:15:25.481 --> 00:15:27.282
Already given us.
00:15:27.282 --> 00:15:28.317
It's kind of like this reminder that we are
00:15:28.317 --> 00:15:30.319
Still alive and we are still living really good
00:15:30.319 --> 00:15:32.855
And beautiful lives.
00:15:32.855 --> 00:15:34.056
And i think one of the most powerful ways that
00:15:34.056 --> 00:15:36.592
I've gotten to experience that is through my
00:15:36.592 --> 00:15:37.926
Children. my daughter, she's just kind of
00:15:37.926 --> 00:15:39.695
Tiptoed into this season of saying thank
00:15:39.695 --> 00:15:42.097
You for things.
00:15:42.097 --> 00:15:43.499
And it's been beautiful because it's been a
00:15:43.499 --> 00:15:44.900
Battle for 10 years trying to get her to say
00:15:44.900 --> 00:15:46.502
Thank you.
00:15:46.502 --> 00:15:47.536
And i think what has happened is as a family,
00:15:47.536 --> 00:15:49.171
We've gone through hard things and when we've all
00:15:49.171 --> 00:15:52.341
Realized in our family that we're still alive
00:15:52.341 --> 00:15:54.443
And we're still well and there's still goodness to
00:15:54.443 --> 00:15:57.446
Be had, we have gratitude.
00:15:57.446 --> 00:15:59.081
And from that place, i think she's been able to
00:15:59.081 --> 00:16:01.817
Say, thank you, mom, for the life that we do have,
00:16:01.817 --> 00:16:03.685
Even though it looks different and it is
00:16:03.685 --> 00:16:05.354
Really hard.
00:16:05.354 --> 00:16:06.588
And that's been just a super powerful thank you
00:16:06.588 --> 00:16:07.990
For me.
00:16:07.990 --> 00:16:10.125
We want you to join the conversation and
00:16:10.125 --> 00:16:12.227
Connect with us on social media. ask a question,
00:16:12.227 --> 00:16:14.763
Share a prayer request, and make friends with
00:16:14.763 --> 00:16:17.032
Women all over the world because we really are
00:16:17.032 --> 00:16:19.868
Better together.
00:16:19.868 --> 00:16:20.969
That's right.
00:16:20.969 --> 00:16:22.071
Let's keep the conversation going.
00:16:22.905 --> 00:16:24.273
You can find the better together podcast on your
00:16:24.273 --> 00:16:26.675
Favorite listening platform, subscribe today.
00:16:26.675 --> 00:16:30.879
♪♪
00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:33.008
♪♪
00:16:33.008 --> 00:16:36.685
One of the things that was hard for me was after
00:16:36.685 --> 00:16:38.587
I had spent some time in a psych hospital and got
00:16:38.587 --> 00:16:40.756
Some treatment for severe clinical depression, a
00:16:40.756 --> 00:16:44.493
Relationship that was really key for me in my
00:16:44.493 --> 00:16:46.695
Life, the person told me, i just think i have no
00:16:46.695 --> 00:16:48.797
Respect for you anymore.
00:16:48.797 --> 00:16:50.732
You shouldn't be in ministry.
00:16:50.732 --> 00:16:52.534
I heard you took medication and i had gone
00:16:52.534 --> 00:16:55.170
Two or three times to try and-- it was a relationship
00:16:55.170 --> 00:16:58.240
That mattered to me.
00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:59.441
So i'd gone and sat down and tried to, and there
00:16:59.441 --> 00:17:02.411
Was just no, we are absolutely done and it's
00:17:02.411 --> 00:17:05.047
Bothered me.
00:17:05.047 --> 00:17:06.782
All the things like don't go away.
00:17:06.782 --> 00:17:09.251
It stays.
00:17:09.251 --> 00:17:09.985
There's this little thing.
00:17:09.985 --> 00:17:11.120
And so i discovered last year that i was going to
00:17:11.120 --> 00:17:13.489
Be a place where this person was going to be.
00:17:13.489 --> 00:17:15.457
And so i found myself really praying and okay,
00:17:15.457 --> 00:17:18.093
Lord, what do i do here?
00:17:18.093 --> 00:17:19.628
Because what i wanted more, i didn't want her
00:17:19.628 --> 00:17:21.296
To say, i think what you did was great.
00:17:21.296 --> 00:17:24.199
I just wanted to be a repair of relationship.
00:17:24.199 --> 00:17:26.335
I didn't want it to be my best friend again, i just
00:17:26.335 --> 00:17:29.204
Didn't want that to be a sense of dreading to meet
00:17:29.204 --> 00:17:31.173
Each other, bump into each other, any of that.
00:17:31.173 --> 00:17:33.709
So i was actually speaking at a luncheon
00:17:33.709 --> 00:17:36.145
And she came and she sat down and she was going to
00:17:36.145 --> 00:17:37.813
Be at the luncheon i'm speaking at.
00:17:37.813 --> 00:17:39.114
So i went over and i sat beside her and i said,
00:17:39.114 --> 00:17:41.617
Hey, i know it's been a while since we've seen
00:17:41.617 --> 00:17:44.019
Each other, talked to each other.
00:17:44.019 --> 00:17:45.654
I've only one thing to say.
00:17:45.654 --> 00:17:47.089
I just want to say thank you.
00:17:47.089 --> 00:17:49.024
And she said, what for?
00:17:49.024 --> 00:17:50.759
And i said, the fact that you cared enough about me
00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:52.961
To reach out and say, i think you're in the
00:17:52.961 --> 00:17:54.730
Wrong, i just want to say it.
00:17:54.730 --> 00:17:56.932
I want to say thank you.
00:17:56.932 --> 00:17:58.066
And it was a lot more than an honor of
00:17:58.066 --> 00:18:00.068
That conversation.
00:18:00.068 --> 00:18:01.170
But we both ended up in tears and it was just
00:18:01.170 --> 00:18:03.739
This beautiful kind of healing moment because
00:18:03.739 --> 00:18:07.242
She said, honestly, where i was back then, i saw
00:18:07.242 --> 00:18:09.444
All of that stuff was wrong.
00:18:09.444 --> 00:18:10.679
The lord's brought me a long way.
00:18:10.679 --> 00:18:11.980
I'm really sorry.
00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:13.248
But it was just sometimes the very act of walking
00:18:13.248 --> 00:18:16.718
Into situations where there's conflict no
00:18:16.718 --> 00:18:19.288
Matter where it's family or church.
00:18:19.288 --> 00:18:21.924
And just simply saying to somebody, i didn't love
00:18:21.924 --> 00:18:23.592
The way you told me what you told me.
00:18:23.592 --> 00:18:25.160
It kind of wounded me, but i just want to say
00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:28.530
Thank you because it's like you said, laurie,
00:18:28.530 --> 00:18:31.967
It's like it clarifies, should i be doing this or
00:18:31.967 --> 00:18:34.036
Should i not be doing this?
00:18:34.036 --> 00:18:35.103
Nope.
00:18:35.103 --> 00:18:35.837
You know what?
00:18:35.837 --> 00:18:36.905
I'm even more sure now that i'm on the right
00:18:36.905 --> 00:18:38.006
Path, but there's something about the power
00:18:38.006 --> 00:18:39.942
Of saying thank you to somebody else that
00:18:39.942 --> 00:18:42.844
Unlocks some of the broken bridge.
00:18:42.844 --> 00:18:46.615
That was beautiful, sheila.
00:18:46.615 --> 00:18:48.317
Honestly, when you said that, that perspective, i
00:18:48.317 --> 00:18:50.152
Would've never thought of that.
00:18:50.152 --> 00:18:51.720
I would've never thought of a reason to say thank
00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:53.021
You to her.
00:18:53.021 --> 00:18:54.189
I think that's so powerful, and i think
00:18:54.189 --> 00:18:55.424
That's just a testament of the holy spirit in you
00:18:55.424 --> 00:18:57.326
Is that i do think god opens us up in moments to
00:18:57.326 --> 00:18:59.895
See different perspectives.
00:18:59.895 --> 00:19:03.899
I have seen thankfulness, words of gratitude
00:19:03.899 --> 00:19:10.606
Change situations that seemed hopeless.
00:19:10.606 --> 00:19:15.877
I have watched police officers melt when young
00:19:15.877 --> 00:19:20.582
Men turned to them and said, thank you for
00:19:20.582 --> 00:19:23.352
Your service.
00:19:23.352 --> 00:19:25.988
I have watched mothers fall into a heap sobbing
00:19:25.988 --> 00:19:30.492
And crying when children looked at her and said,
00:19:30.492 --> 00:19:36.331
Thank you, mom, for showing up one more time.
00:19:36.331 --> 00:19:39.468
I have even seen political opponents who
00:19:39.468 --> 00:19:43.538
At this time in our history can be so
00:19:43.538 --> 00:19:46.875
Divisive and so cantankerous to one another.
00:19:46.875 --> 00:19:51.847
I've watched things change.
00:19:51.847 --> 00:19:54.483
I've watched the atmosphere elevate when
00:19:54.483 --> 00:19:58.387
One person would say, thank you for your
00:19:58.387 --> 00:20:01.923
Service, thank you for your time.
00:20:01.923 --> 00:20:04.826
Thank you that you took the effort to make
00:20:04.826 --> 00:20:07.896
A difference.
00:20:07.896 --> 00:20:09.765
I promise you thankfulness is your
00:20:09.765 --> 00:20:12.334
Bridge to the other side of whatever situation
00:20:12.334 --> 00:20:17.973
You're facing. whatever the problem is when you
00:20:17.973 --> 00:20:21.209
Open and when you close the conversation, when
00:20:21.209 --> 00:20:26.248
You put gratitude and thankfulness in the
00:20:26.248 --> 00:20:30.218
Equation, you are on the way to a
00:20:30.218 --> 00:20:32.487
Permanent solution.
00:20:32.487 --> 00:20:35.223
When i was 19, i moved from texas to georgia and
00:20:35.223 --> 00:20:39.528
I was barely saved.
00:20:39.528 --> 00:20:41.363
I mean, i had gone to church, i grew up
00:20:41.363 --> 00:20:43.298
Catholic, but i was just kind of playing around.
00:20:43.298 --> 00:20:45.033
I was dabbling in ministry and i ended up
00:20:45.033 --> 00:20:46.902
Going to this church when i was about 20.
00:20:46.902 --> 00:20:48.537
The youth pastor at the time comes up to me-- i am
00:20:48.537 --> 00:20:50.906
High out of my mind.
00:20:50.906 --> 00:20:52.708
I just to be honest about where i was at 20, high
00:20:52.708 --> 00:20:55.344
Out of my mind, i'm at church, i got invited to
00:20:55.344 --> 00:20:57.112
This church and i'm just like, wow, okay, this is
00:20:57.112 --> 00:20:59.614
Kind of cool, this god thing.
00:20:59.614 --> 00:21:00.949
And he comes up to me and he hands me a
00:21:00.949 --> 00:21:03.418
Little flyer.
00:21:03.418 --> 00:21:04.653
He is like, we're doing a six week training for our
00:21:04.653 --> 00:21:06.555
Youth ministry.
00:21:06.555 --> 00:21:07.956
And i'm like, yeah, i don't know if you want me
00:21:07.956 --> 00:21:10.459
To come to that, dude.
00:21:10.459 --> 00:21:11.460
I don't know what you're talking about.
00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:12.527
And he's like, i mean, literally in that moment
00:21:12.527 --> 00:21:15.297
He's just like, i don't know.
00:21:15.297 --> 00:21:16.665
There's just something about you.
00:21:16.665 --> 00:21:17.666
I think you should come.
00:21:17.666 --> 00:21:18.967
And so i ended up going home.
00:21:18.967 --> 00:21:20.602
I told my parents, i'm like, you don't believe
00:21:20.602 --> 00:21:22.471
This guy invited me to this youth thing?
00:21:22.471 --> 00:21:25.507
And now my dad has always said, you're going to be
00:21:25.507 --> 00:21:28.143
A ministry.
00:21:28.143 --> 00:21:29.111
You are going to be a minister always.
00:21:29.111 --> 00:21:30.312
I'm like, no, i'm not.
00:21:30.312 --> 00:21:31.113
Whatever.
00:21:31.113 --> 00:21:31.713
I'm a party girl.
00:21:31.713 --> 00:21:32.914
And my dad is like, you need to go, you need to go.
00:21:32.914 --> 00:21:35.784
And i was like, all right.
00:21:35.784 --> 00:21:36.852
So i go to this youth training, it's like this
00:21:36.852 --> 00:21:38.186
Six week class.
00:21:38.186 --> 00:21:40.756
It's like every tuesday night.
00:21:40.756 --> 00:21:42.190
And i love it.
00:21:42.190 --> 00:21:43.258
I'm like, oh, look how cool.
00:21:43.258 --> 00:21:44.393
And they asked us to sign up for lock-ins and a
00:21:44.393 --> 00:21:47.929
Little youth-- which i don't know if you've ever
00:21:47.929 --> 00:21:50.599
Been to one of them.
00:21:50.599 --> 00:21:51.700
Honestly, that's
00:21:51.700 --> 00:21:52.734
Probably where the devil resides honestly, at the
00:21:52.734 --> 00:21:54.936
Youth lock-in, okay? i'm just kidding.
00:21:54.936 --> 00:21:57.072
He is on the prowl at the youth lock in, honey.
00:21:57.072 --> 00:21:59.741
And so they had me stationed in this hallway
00:21:59.741 --> 00:22:03.945
Between, it was where the girls could go and sleep
00:22:03.945 --> 00:22:06.481
If they wanted to, which they never did.
00:22:06.481 --> 00:22:08.116
And then to make sure the boys stayed out, and i'm
00:22:08.116 --> 00:22:10.252
Telling y'all, i don't know if these young
00:22:10.252 --> 00:22:12.888
Little boys just, they were like, she ain't nobody.
00:22:12.888 --> 00:22:15.857
She just came to the church.
00:22:15.857 --> 00:22:17.292
Literally, y'all sitting in the hallway in a chair
00:22:17.292 --> 00:22:21.129
And the boys just keep coming.
00:22:21.129 --> 00:22:24.032
It's like, so what's your name?
00:22:24.032 --> 00:22:24.933
Where you at from?
00:22:24.933 --> 00:22:25.901
How'd you come to this church?
00:22:25.901 --> 00:22:27.035
They're trying to talk to me and i'm like, listen,
00:22:27.035 --> 00:22:28.570
Y'all crazy
00:22:28.570 --> 00:22:29.638
If y'all think i'm about to let y'all back here
00:22:29.638 --> 00:22:30.972
With these little girls and we're kicking it.
00:22:30.972 --> 00:22:34.376
We're having so much fun.
00:22:34.376 --> 00:22:35.710
I fall in love with these little boys, they're so cool.
00:22:35.710 --> 00:22:38.780
I'm like, this is awesome.
00:22:38.780 --> 00:22:40.015
But we ended up freestyle rapping, which is crazy.
00:22:40.015 --> 00:22:42.851
I just remember this.
00:22:42.851 --> 00:22:43.952
And i ended up bringing m & m costume, actual
00:22:43.952 --> 00:22:45.720
M & m candies.
00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:47.989
It's a lot.
00:22:47.989 --> 00:22:49.191
And it's crazy to me that this youth pastor saw me
00:22:49.191 --> 00:22:57.466
When i know he knew i was high at this church and
00:22:57.466 --> 00:23:02.137
He called something out of me that i did not see
00:23:02.137 --> 00:23:06.041
In myself.
00:23:06.041 --> 00:23:07.342
I ended up falling in love with youth ministry.
00:23:07.342 --> 00:23:09.478
I ended up getting saved, not even because-- this is
00:23:09.478 --> 00:23:13.381
Horrible-- not even because i was deeply
00:23:13.381 --> 00:23:16.751
Madly in love with jesus, but because these
00:23:16.751 --> 00:23:18.987
Students started to look up to me and i just
00:23:18.987 --> 00:23:21.323
Wanted more for them than what i had grown up with.
00:23:21.323 --> 00:23:27.362
And so i wanted to change.
00:23:27.362 --> 00:23:29.264
It was crazy because then i started volunteering
00:23:29.264 --> 00:23:30.866
With the youth and i became the youth leader.
00:23:30.866 --> 00:23:32.834
And then the youth director, ended up going
00:23:32.834 --> 00:23:34.503
Through this ministry program and i got
00:23:34.503 --> 00:23:35.871
Ordained and i was the youth pastor, and i
00:23:35.871 --> 00:23:37.873
Actually took his position and he moved up.
00:23:37.873 --> 00:23:39.808
This past summer,
00:23:39.808 --> 00:23:41.076
I did a beach trip with my family and this youth
00:23:41.076 --> 00:23:45.380
Pastor, this old youth pastor lives maybe 30
00:23:45.380 --> 00:23:47.782
Minutes from my family and he has two sons and
00:23:47.782 --> 00:23:50.051
All the, and i'm like, hey, i don't even know
00:23:50.051 --> 00:23:52.821
What you guys are doing, but we're down in
00:23:52.821 --> 00:23:54.256
Galveston beach, texas if you want to come.
00:23:54.256 --> 00:23:56.658
And he comes with his boys and our kids are
00:23:56.658 --> 00:23:58.960
Playing together and all these things.
00:23:58.960 --> 00:24:00.328
And i posted this picture and i just was like, this
00:24:00.328 --> 00:24:02.931
Is the person that saw me.
00:24:02.931 --> 00:24:07.502
I just would never have believed.
00:24:07.502 --> 00:24:10.238
It's still shocking to this day.
00:24:10.238 --> 00:24:12.207
Every day i wake up, i'm like, lord, don't let me
00:24:12.207 --> 00:24:13.508
Mess this up because it's so weird that you're
00:24:13.508 --> 00:24:15.977
Still choosing me.
00:24:15.977 --> 00:24:17.345
But i just tell him thank you all the time.
00:24:17.345 --> 00:24:20.415
And he hates it too. that's how humble people act.
00:24:20.415 --> 00:24:23.084
You know what i'm saying?
00:24:23.084 --> 00:24:24.185
They don't want the thank you's and they don't want
00:24:24.185 --> 00:24:25.554
To be acknowledged.
00:24:25.554 --> 00:24:26.521
Don't tag me on anything on instagram.
00:24:26.521 --> 00:24:28.423
But i'm like, thank you.
00:24:28.423 --> 00:24:31.760
Thank you for seeing that god had more for me that
00:24:31.760 --> 00:24:35.730
I couldn't see.
00:24:35.730 --> 00:24:37.465
And it-- it's a challenge.
00:24:37.465 --> 00:24:39.634
It's a challenge.
00:24:39.634 --> 00:24:40.735
Do i allow myself to see and see others who aren't
00:24:40.735 --> 00:24:42.804
Quite there yet?
00:24:42.804 --> 00:24:44.005
Do i write them off?
00:24:44.005 --> 00:24:45.140
Well, that's what my whole ministry is about now,
00:24:45.140 --> 00:24:46.741
Broken crayons still color because i was a broken
00:24:46.741 --> 00:24:49.611
Crayon and i was still color.
00:24:49.611 --> 00:24:53.582
And now it's literally because of that,
00:24:53.582 --> 00:24:55.417
I am literally now doing the same for other people.
00:24:55.417 --> 00:24:59.454
I just think that people, when they look at you,
00:24:59.454 --> 00:25:03.191
When you say a word of kindness or a word of
00:25:03.191 --> 00:25:07.228
Support or graciousness comes out of your lips,
00:25:07.228 --> 00:25:10.932
You are sowing a seed not only for yourself but for
00:25:10.932 --> 00:25:15.270
That person.
00:25:15.270 --> 00:25:16.571
And i think we have the power to change
00:25:16.571 --> 00:25:20.909
Somebody's life and to make them think that
00:25:20.909 --> 00:25:25.246
Maybe there are kinder people give people hope,
00:25:25.246 --> 00:25:28.216
Give people hope that there are good people
00:25:28.216 --> 00:25:29.684
Still in the world, that there are people that
00:25:29.684 --> 00:25:32.721
Still love others and respect others.
00:25:32.721 --> 00:25:36.358
And i think that's so needed today,
00:25:36.358 --> 00:25:38.226
So i encourage you to do that.
00:25:38.226 --> 00:25:40.662
In psalms 1:26, it talks about the israelites
00:25:40.662 --> 00:25:44.599
Praising god and thanking him for bringing
00:25:44.599 --> 00:25:46.501
Them back to zion.
00:25:46.501 --> 00:25:48.503
And in psalms 1:26, 1 through 3, it says,
00:25:48.503 --> 00:25:51.906
When the lord restored the fortunes of zion,
00:25:51.906 --> 00:25:55.010
We were like those who dreamed.
00:25:55.010 --> 00:25:57.345
Our mouths were filled with laughter and
00:25:57.345 --> 00:26:00.515
Our tongues with songs of joy.
00:26:00.515 --> 00:26:03.718
The lord has done great things and we are
00:26:03.718 --> 00:26:05.887
Filled with joy.
00:26:05.887 --> 00:26:08.356
That's what thanksgiving does.
00:26:08.356 --> 00:26:10.425
It fills us with joy, being thankful.
00:26:10.425 --> 00:26:14.929
I know. amen.
00:26:14.929 --> 00:26:16.398
A lot of our conversation here today in this week
00:26:16.398 --> 00:26:20.201
Has been about our families and how it
00:26:20.201 --> 00:26:23.438
Matters. as we're talking about gratitude,
00:26:23.438 --> 00:26:27.175
It is a lifestyle, and thank you does change
00:26:27.175 --> 00:26:31.479
Everything, and in our own home to say thank you
00:26:31.479 --> 00:26:36.351
When the child does the dishes,
00:26:36.351 --> 00:26:38.620
When they do obey, when they are bringing home
00:26:38.620 --> 00:26:43.224
The report card, thank you.
00:26:43.224 --> 00:26:45.593
Thank you for being my husband.
00:26:45.593 --> 00:26:48.129
Thank you for being a provider.
00:26:48.129 --> 00:26:50.699
Thank you for taking the trash out.
00:26:50.699 --> 00:26:53.468
I mean, literally it becomes a lifestyle that
00:26:53.468 --> 00:26:57.806
Changes and makes us different because
00:26:57.806 --> 00:27:02.010
It is upside down.
00:27:02.010 --> 00:27:04.112
It does matter that we put what we're talking
00:27:04.112 --> 00:27:08.216
About into shoe leather in real life and keep track.
00:27:08.216 --> 00:27:12.754
In other words, hold ourselves accountable.
00:27:12.754 --> 00:27:16.191
Did i say to the housekeeper at the hotel
00:27:16.191 --> 00:27:20.061
Where i stayed, did i look at her and say,
00:27:20.061 --> 00:27:22.263
Thank you.
00:27:22.263 --> 00:27:23.465
My husband, he is the most generous guy and his
00:27:23.465 --> 00:27:26.735
Favorite thing is to get cash so that he can
00:27:26.735 --> 00:27:30.672
Be a generous tipper.
00:27:30.672 --> 00:27:32.674
He's into planting seed and believing for a harvest.
00:27:32.674 --> 00:27:37.278
And the greatest joy of his life,
00:27:37.278 --> 00:27:40.014
We were on his 70th birthday, he and i,
00:27:40.014 --> 00:27:43.351
And the best part of his birthday,
00:27:43.351 --> 00:27:45.620
We were having dinner, is he wanted to give
00:27:45.620 --> 00:27:49.124
Everybody who served him that day,
00:27:49.124 --> 00:27:51.826
He wanted to give every one of them like a
00:27:51.826 --> 00:27:54.429
Hundred dollar tip.
00:27:54.429 --> 00:27:55.997
I'm like, rich, what are we doing?
00:27:55.997 --> 00:27:58.566
Well, because that was so energizing and powerful
00:27:58.566 --> 00:28:04.773
And healing that he could say thank you and
00:28:04.773 --> 00:28:08.042
Make a difference in someone's life.
00:28:08.042 --> 00:28:11.246
So i have a friend and she just told me this
00:28:11.246 --> 00:28:12.881
Story because she was flying actually from
00:28:12.881 --> 00:28:15.817
Germany to texas, and she was telling me that she
00:28:15.817 --> 00:28:20.054
Had gotten upgraded, which was not her goal,
00:28:20.054 --> 00:28:22.624
But she was telling me.
00:28:22.624 --> 00:28:23.658
And i was like, how did you get upgraded?
00:28:23.658 --> 00:28:25.160
That's so great.
00:28:25.160 --> 00:28:26.227
And she said, well, i don't know if this is
00:28:26.227 --> 00:28:27.529
Why, but i have a practice of every time
00:28:27.529 --> 00:28:30.131
I board a plane, i bring gifts of candy,
00:28:30.131 --> 00:28:33.968
Bags of candy with a handwritten note to all
00:28:33.968 --> 00:28:36.571
The flight attendants and the captains and
00:28:36.571 --> 00:28:38.473
Whatever. and i'm like, of course you do. right?
00:28:38.473 --> 00:28:40.141
How thoughtful.
00:28:40.141 --> 00:28:41.876
But it made me think about living in this
00:28:41.876 --> 00:28:45.747
Heart of gratitude and how this is just the way
00:28:45.747 --> 00:28:48.483
She's living her life, to be thankful for the
00:28:48.483 --> 00:28:51.753
People who serve her, the people who attend to her.
00:28:51.753 --> 00:28:54.355
I just thought it was so great.
00:28:54.355 --> 00:28:56.124
And do we do that enough in our life?
00:28:56.124 --> 00:28:59.194
How does it impact us when we get a
00:28:59.194 --> 00:29:01.529
Thank you from someone?
00:29:01.529 --> 00:29:02.630
How does it impact them when we give
00:29:02.630 --> 00:29:04.065
Them a thank you?
00:29:04.065 --> 00:29:05.266
I think what i've learned this week is i want to be
00:29:05.266 --> 00:29:08.002
More hyper aware of how important it is to always
00:29:08.002 --> 00:29:12.040
Keep my eyes open to those that are serving
00:29:12.040 --> 00:29:14.242
Around me. and just to pause and to stop, to
00:29:14.242 --> 00:29:16.778
Not walk past them, but to tell them thank you.
00:29:16.778 --> 00:29:19.280
I see what you're doing.
00:29:19.280 --> 00:29:20.682
I know there's been moments in my life where
00:29:20.682 --> 00:29:22.951
I've done something and someone has said the
00:29:22.951 --> 00:29:25.153
Thank you and i feel so seen.
00:29:25.153 --> 00:29:27.455
I don't do it for the thank you.
00:29:27.455 --> 00:29:28.823
None of us would.
00:29:28.823 --> 00:29:29.958
But the fact that they give the thank you.
00:29:29.958 --> 00:29:32.193
When you feel seen, it's just such a sweet
00:29:32.193 --> 00:29:34.762
Kiss from god.
00:29:34.762 --> 00:29:36.030
And because of that, i know how it makes me feel.
00:29:36.030 --> 00:29:39.601
It makes me want to be more aware of those
00:29:39.601 --> 00:29:41.703
Around me that are serving and to just stop
00:29:41.703 --> 00:29:44.272
And say thank you, because i know it's
00:29:44.272 --> 00:29:46.140
Impactful, because it's impactful when
00:29:46.140 --> 00:29:47.442
It happens to me.
00:29:47.442 --> 00:29:49.577
As we're talking about it, and sheila's question
00:29:49.577 --> 00:29:51.746
Was so powerful because she said,
00:29:51.746 --> 00:29:54.949
How did that change a relationship?
00:29:54.949 --> 00:29:57.452
How did that change something in your life
00:29:57.452 --> 00:29:59.821
That's tangible?
00:29:59.821 --> 00:30:01.556
And i remember we're talking about holidays
00:30:01.556 --> 00:30:04.425
And holidays for mothers can be a very
00:30:04.425 --> 00:30:06.895
Testing time, right?
00:30:06.895 --> 00:30:08.596
That thanksgiving to new year's,
00:30:08.596 --> 00:30:10.565
It's like a second job.
00:30:10.565 --> 00:30:12.533
You've got to shop and clean and cook and
00:30:12.533 --> 00:30:15.270
All those things.
00:30:15.270 --> 00:30:16.404
And i was thinking about a christmas that i had,
00:30:16.404 --> 00:30:18.806
And we are around the christmas tree.
00:30:18.806 --> 00:30:20.608
My boys were all little, i have four sons,
00:30:20.608 --> 00:30:23.278
They're all grown up now.
00:30:23.278 --> 00:30:24.779
But my second son is very, talks a lot.
00:30:24.779 --> 00:30:28.082
And so he was around the tree and we're trying to
00:30:28.082 --> 00:30:31.486
Have the christmas presents,
00:30:31.486 --> 00:30:33.254
And you can imagine we're sitting there,
00:30:33.254 --> 00:30:35.123
It's like the rockwell picture on the,
00:30:35.123 --> 00:30:38.059
It's the perfect thing.
00:30:38.059 --> 00:30:39.761
But you know what?
00:30:39.761 --> 00:30:40.862
As the kids are getting the gift,
00:30:40.862 --> 00:30:43.331
Oh, i didn't like that.
00:30:43.331 --> 00:30:44.933
That's what my kids were doing,
00:30:44.933 --> 00:30:46.367
Or that's not what i asked for.
00:30:46.367 --> 00:30:48.803
And i'm watching my generous husband and
00:30:48.803 --> 00:30:51.072
He's kind of, i can see kind of setting up
00:30:51.072 --> 00:30:54.776
A little bit more.
00:30:54.776 --> 00:30:56.544
And finally he grabs my second son and he goes,
00:30:56.544 --> 00:30:59.881
We're going to go talk about this.
00:30:59.881 --> 00:31:02.150
And we all freeze around the christmas tree and he
00:31:02.150 --> 00:31:05.954
Goes in and has a talk.
00:31:05.954 --> 00:31:07.822
And when he comes back with our second boy,
00:31:07.822 --> 00:31:11.459
He sits down at the tree and my husband says,
00:31:11.459 --> 00:31:14.162
Okay, richie, what do you want to say?
00:31:14.162 --> 00:31:17.532
And richie goes, i'm thankful, thankful,
00:31:17.532 --> 00:31:19.968
Thankful, thankful.
00:31:19.968 --> 00:31:22.437
I got to thinking about this this week as we're
00:31:22.437 --> 00:31:24.839
Meditating on this idea.
00:31:24.839 --> 00:31:27.709
But do you know what happened around that tree?
00:31:27.709 --> 00:31:29.744
Atmosphere changing. and guess what?
00:31:29.744 --> 00:31:33.114
What we had became enough.
00:31:33.114 --> 00:31:38.720
What we had became enough.
00:31:38.720 --> 00:31:41.990
All of a sudden those gifts, well,
00:31:41.990 --> 00:31:44.292
They were pretty good!
00:31:44.292 --> 00:31:46.461
And all of a sudden it was the best christmas.
00:31:46.461 --> 00:31:49.864
And i learned something so important that when i
00:31:49.864 --> 00:31:54.068
Helped my children, and i'm the mom at the time,
00:31:54.068 --> 00:31:57.372
When i helped them understand the power of
00:31:57.372 --> 00:32:00.808
Gratitude and thankfulness,
00:32:00.808 --> 00:32:02.944
It sets them free.
00:32:02.944 --> 00:32:04.712
That's right.
00:32:04.712 --> 00:32:05.880
Sometimes as mothers, we think to ourself,
00:32:05.880 --> 00:32:07.949
Am i being too strict or i'm expecting too much?
00:32:07.949 --> 00:32:10.918
And the scripture is true.
00:32:10.918 --> 00:32:12.720
Colossians 3:15, it says,
00:32:12.720 --> 00:32:15.289
And let the peace of christ rule in your
00:32:15.289 --> 00:32:18.593
Hearts to which indeed you were called in one
00:32:18.593 --> 00:32:22.230
Body, that's unity, and be thankful.
00:32:22.230 --> 00:32:26.968
What is more powerful than a child full of
00:32:26.968 --> 00:32:31.205
Peace and security?
00:32:31.205 --> 00:32:33.708
What's more powerful than a child when they're
00:32:33.708 --> 00:32:38.279
Corrected is able to say, yes sir, thank you.
00:32:38.279 --> 00:32:43.818
Because gratitude and thankfulness,
00:32:43.818 --> 00:32:47.455
It changes everything and it sets that young
00:32:47.455 --> 00:32:50.425
Person, i know it worked for me.
00:32:50.425 --> 00:32:52.693
It sets me in a place where i can hear god,
00:32:52.693 --> 00:32:56.831
Where i can see what his purpose is and that i can
00:32:56.831 --> 00:33:00.501
Stay big enough to not be hurt by my friend's
00:33:00.501 --> 00:33:04.605
Comments, but instead be able to go, well,
00:33:04.605 --> 00:33:08.209
Thank you for taking your time and where it's so
00:33:08.209 --> 00:33:12.380
Important and is in that place in our own homes
00:33:12.380 --> 00:33:16.384
Where we have others watching us.
00:33:16.384 --> 00:33:19.687
You brought up the nurses that were in the hospital
00:33:19.687 --> 00:33:22.690
Room when my husband was ill recently.
00:33:22.690 --> 00:33:25.927
People are watching. of course they are.
00:33:25.927 --> 00:33:27.995
And they need peace.
00:33:27.995 --> 00:33:30.431
They need to be free to be able to open their
00:33:30.431 --> 00:33:33.968
Minds and hear and grow, but without gratitude,
00:33:33.968 --> 00:33:38.372
Without thankfulness, that chaos of our
00:33:38.372 --> 00:33:43.244
Culture swamps them.
00:33:43.244 --> 00:33:46.080
And then they don't ever rise up.
00:33:46.080 --> 00:33:49.117
Like toni just talked about,
00:33:49.117 --> 00:33:50.985
Being able to hear what that good word was,
00:33:50.985 --> 00:33:54.522
Being able to say, you know what?
00:33:54.522 --> 00:33:56.591
I can do this because peace comes and i'm able
00:33:56.591 --> 00:34:01.195
To say yes to the word when i can hear it.
00:34:01.195 --> 00:34:04.398
I love that. we spoke about it.
00:34:04.398 --> 00:34:06.267
Really gratefulness, roots out entitlement.
00:34:06.267 --> 00:34:08.703
You really can't have them existing
00:34:08.703 --> 00:34:10.271
At the same time.
00:34:10.271 --> 00:34:11.405
Exactly. that's right.
00:34:11.405 --> 00:34:12.540
I think what you were saying there,
00:34:12.540 --> 00:34:13.674
Your son was being led with an entitlement spirit.
00:34:13.674 --> 00:34:18.513
Gratitude drove that out.
00:34:18.513 --> 00:34:19.847
And look at that, how sweet it is.
00:34:19.847 --> 00:34:21.249
It was the father that drove out the idea of
00:34:21.249 --> 00:34:25.219
Selfish entitlement and put in the heart
00:34:25.219 --> 00:34:29.157
Of gratitude, the seed,
00:34:29.157 --> 00:34:31.759
Which is what our heavenly father does.
00:34:31.759 --> 00:34:33.227
I also do love that you said that thankfulness
00:34:33.227 --> 00:34:35.796
Sets them free.
00:34:35.796 --> 00:34:39.233
My husband started keeping a gratitude
00:34:39.233 --> 00:34:41.702
Journal, and at first i thought that was kind
00:34:41.702 --> 00:34:43.604
Of a strange thing.
00:34:43.604 --> 00:34:44.805
He keeps it to the side of the bed and he'll just
00:34:44.805 --> 00:34:46.040
Write down all these things he's grateful for.
00:34:46.040 --> 00:34:49.010
But i began to notice the impact it was having on
00:34:49.010 --> 00:34:51.145
Him. and i thought, you know what?
00:34:51.145 --> 00:34:52.880
I'm going to start doing that as well.
00:34:52.880 --> 00:34:54.582
And so i've started every day,
00:34:54.582 --> 00:34:56.217
Even before i came to the studio today,
00:34:56.217 --> 00:34:58.753
When i was driving here in traffic,
00:34:58.753 --> 00:35:01.556
I began to thank the lord out loud for all the
00:35:01.556 --> 00:35:04.091
Things that i'm grateful for.
00:35:04.091 --> 00:35:05.393
And there's something about that i think it
00:35:05.393 --> 00:35:08.329
Almost shifts to chemistry in your brain
00:35:08.329 --> 00:35:10.565
When you become thankful and you're very vocal
00:35:10.565 --> 00:35:13.501
About it or you write it down,
00:35:13.501 --> 00:35:15.836
There's something about a lifestyle of thanksgiving
00:35:15.836 --> 00:35:18.573
Rather than just a holiday of thanksgiving
00:35:18.573 --> 00:35:21.409
That makes a huge difference.
00:35:21.409 --> 00:35:24.145
Be the first to know all the latest
00:35:25.046 --> 00:35:26.948
Better together updates.
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Visit bettertogether.tv to sign up for our
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Weekly emails and never miss the latest news.
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I used to read these books by this guy
00:35:39.528 --> 00:35:41.029
Named robert kiyosaki.
00:35:41.029 --> 00:35:42.297
He's like a financial freedom and he talks
00:35:42.297 --> 00:35:44.933
About it in the form of the rat race that we just
00:35:44.933 --> 00:35:47.769
Get caught in this rat race of paying bills
00:35:47.769 --> 00:35:49.571
And all the things.
00:35:49.571 --> 00:35:50.806
And i do think that there's this spiritual
00:35:50.806 --> 00:35:52.741
Rat race where we are just like,
00:35:52.741 --> 00:35:54.543
I want the next best thing, and i want to do
00:35:54.543 --> 00:35:56.578
This, and i want to have these friends,
00:35:56.578 --> 00:35:57.913
And i want to have this lifestyle, and i want
00:35:57.913 --> 00:35:59.314
My stomach to look a certain way.
00:35:59.314 --> 00:36:00.849
I want to get rid of some things.
00:36:00.849 --> 00:36:02.651
And i think we can get caught in this cycle.
00:36:02.651 --> 00:36:06.555
And real freedom is saying,
00:36:06.555 --> 00:36:09.891
If he didn't do another thing,
00:36:09.891 --> 00:36:11.827
If i didn't have another follower like comment,
00:36:11.827 --> 00:36:14.730
If i didn't get a new car,
00:36:14.730 --> 00:36:16.198
If i didn't have all the things that i wanted,
00:36:16.198 --> 00:36:18.367
I'm going to get out of this rat race.
00:36:18.367 --> 00:36:20.535
I'm going to find real freedom.
00:36:20.535 --> 00:36:22.271
And that says that i'm grateful, and
00:36:22.271 --> 00:36:24.773
That is where the spirit of the lord resides.
00:36:24.773 --> 00:36:27.509
That's right.
00:36:27.509 --> 00:36:28.510
Because where the spirit of the lord,
00:36:28.510 --> 00:36:29.945
If we are allowing the spirit of the lord to
00:36:29.945 --> 00:36:31.346
Reside in us, then there's freedom
00:36:31.346 --> 00:36:33.982
And there's peace.
00:36:33.982 --> 00:36:37.185
Give thanks.
00:36:37.185 --> 00:36:38.287
He says to do that, that's for our benefit.
00:36:38.287 --> 00:36:40.889
That's not for his, that's for us.
00:36:40.889 --> 00:36:42.991
Give thanks.
00:36:42.991 --> 00:36:44.326
I want to do something in your mind,
00:36:44.326 --> 00:36:46.628
In your soul and in your heart,
00:36:46.628 --> 00:36:48.697
If you'll just give me a grateful attitude,
00:36:48.697 --> 00:36:50.699
If you'll just give me a thankful heart right now,
00:36:50.699 --> 00:36:53.001
I am going to do something for you.
00:36:53.001 --> 00:36:55.337
Give god incentive to bless your life.
00:36:55.337 --> 00:36:58.273
He tells us what to do.
00:36:58.273 --> 00:37:00.409
And then when we do it, you can't describe what
00:37:00.409 --> 00:37:04.579
God will do back for you.
00:37:04.579 --> 00:37:06.548
He will meet you in ways.
00:37:06.548 --> 00:37:07.916
He gives you the things that money can't buy.
00:37:07.916 --> 00:37:10.152
He gives you peace of mind.
00:37:10.152 --> 00:37:11.987
He gives you hope for your soul.
00:37:11.987 --> 00:37:13.989
He gives you healing in places that you'd
00:37:13.989 --> 00:37:16.191
Never dreamed you'd ever be healed.
00:37:16.191 --> 00:37:20.329
He heals the wounded.
00:37:20.329 --> 00:37:21.797
He binds up the broken hearted.
00:37:21.797 --> 00:37:25.534
He'll do things that you think are impossible,
00:37:25.534 --> 00:37:28.470
That are impossible without him.
00:37:28.470 --> 00:37:30.505
So i encourage you today to be thankful every day.
00:37:30.505 --> 00:37:33.675
Go to bed with thankfulness on your
00:37:33.675 --> 00:37:35.811
Lips, wake up with thanksgiving on your
00:37:35.811 --> 00:37:38.513
Heart, and i just bless you and your families
00:37:38.513 --> 00:37:41.683
This beautiful thanksgiving holiday and
00:37:41.683 --> 00:37:45.153
I pray that it changes you from the inside out.
00:37:45.153 --> 00:37:49.758
It's a beautiful thing to teach your children to
00:37:49.858 --> 00:37:52.427
Be thankful. i remember when christian was five,
00:37:52.427 --> 00:37:54.363
When we had a birthday party for him,
00:37:54.363 --> 00:37:56.131
And i said, now babe, some of the people who
00:37:56.131 --> 00:37:57.933
Are coming, they might give you a gift that you
00:37:57.933 --> 00:37:59.568
Don't necessarily really love or they might give
00:37:59.568 --> 00:38:02.170
You a gift of something you already have,
00:38:02.170 --> 00:38:04.239
But just remember they're giving us a gift
00:38:04.239 --> 00:38:05.741
And be thankful. and he was like, yes.
00:38:05.741 --> 00:38:07.909
And so he wrote me up all the presents and this
00:38:07.909 --> 00:38:10.846
First thing he opened up was something
00:38:10.846 --> 00:38:12.647
That he already had.
00:38:12.647 --> 00:38:14.116
And so he said to the boy thank you so much,
00:38:14.116 --> 00:38:16.518
I love this.
00:38:16.518 --> 00:38:17.719
Second present was something that we talked
00:38:17.719 --> 00:38:19.855
About. and he said, no, i don't want that mom.
00:38:19.855 --> 00:38:21.423
And he was like, thank you so much.
00:38:21.423 --> 00:38:24.025
And then he said, excuse me a minute.
00:38:24.025 --> 00:38:25.627
And he came over and he whispered to me,
00:38:25.627 --> 00:38:27.162
How am i doing? how am i doing?
00:38:27.162 --> 00:38:29.398
How am i doing?
00:38:29.398 --> 00:38:30.899
But the thing i've noticed is he's 28 now,
00:38:30.899 --> 00:38:33.635
And i've noticed, and it's not been our
00:38:33.635 --> 00:38:35.804
Constant thing, he thanks people all the time.
00:38:35.804 --> 00:38:39.241
He's just developed this thankful heart.
00:38:39.241 --> 00:38:42.277
And i think a thankful heart changes.
00:38:42.277 --> 00:38:44.379
It's the different lens through which
00:38:44.379 --> 00:38:45.714
To see the world.
00:38:45.714 --> 00:38:47.048
You either look at the world to say, well,
00:38:47.048 --> 00:38:48.417
What are you going to give me?
00:38:48.417 --> 00:38:50.185
And then it's more like a mirror.
00:38:50.185 --> 00:38:51.853
But when you see it as a window and you look out
00:38:51.853 --> 00:38:53.555
And say, how could i bless your life today?
00:38:53.555 --> 00:38:55.490
How could i touch you? what could i do?
00:38:55.490 --> 00:38:57.192
What could i say? what could i give?
00:38:57.192 --> 00:38:58.660
I know it says it's more joyful to give than to
00:38:58.660 --> 00:39:00.929
Receive, but it really is.
00:39:00.929 --> 00:39:02.497
There's nothing quite like it.
00:39:02.497 --> 00:39:04.699
But sometimes you can't do that if it's
00:39:04.699 --> 00:39:05.901
Not an overflow.
00:39:05.901 --> 00:39:07.302
I mean, you have to live in a position of feeling
00:39:07.302 --> 00:39:10.071
And understanding that we live in abundance.
00:39:10.071 --> 00:39:12.340
We don't live in lack. when we are children of
00:39:12.340 --> 00:39:14.409
The high king, we live in abundance.
00:39:14.409 --> 00:39:16.945
And so you become a more generous giver and a more
00:39:16.945 --> 00:39:21.483
Generous with your time, generous with your
00:39:21.483 --> 00:39:22.984
Resources because you sit in the position of
00:39:22.984 --> 00:39:25.120
Knowing you have so much.
00:39:25.120 --> 00:39:26.922
And gratefulness is like,
00:39:26.922 --> 00:39:29.458
I want to extend that to others.
00:39:29.458 --> 00:39:33.695
My husband and i sometimes teach parenting
00:39:33.695 --> 00:39:35.530
Classes, and one of the principles that we teach
00:39:35.530 --> 00:39:37.566
In our parenting classes are, we have three kids,
00:39:37.566 --> 00:39:40.469
And they're now 24, 21, and 18.
00:39:40.469 --> 00:39:43.004
So when they were younger,
00:39:43.004 --> 00:39:44.139
We would teach in these parenting classes.
00:39:44.139 --> 00:39:46.041
We are not raising our children to be good
00:39:46.041 --> 00:39:48.143
Children. we're raising our children to be good adults.
00:39:48.143 --> 00:39:51.446
And so the way that we would parent the actions
00:39:51.446 --> 00:39:53.949
We would take in teaching our children was
00:39:53.949 --> 00:39:55.984
Because we had their future in mind.
00:39:55.984 --> 00:39:57.953
We had their adulthood in mind because they're
00:39:57.953 --> 00:40:00.489
Going to be adults a lot longer than they're
00:40:00.489 --> 00:40:02.357
Going to be children.
00:40:02.357 --> 00:40:03.592
And in the principle of gratitude and
00:40:03.592 --> 00:40:05.494
Thankfulness, this is where this applies
00:40:05.494 --> 00:40:07.729
Really, really strongly, is because if you can
00:40:07.729 --> 00:40:11.032
Teach a child when they're young,
00:40:11.032 --> 00:40:13.168
To have a grateful heart, to be thankful for the
00:40:13.168 --> 00:40:15.837
Little things that they're given,
00:40:15.837 --> 00:40:17.372
Even things like a meal for that night,
00:40:17.372 --> 00:40:19.774
Thank you mom for making this meal.
00:40:19.774 --> 00:40:21.309
If you can teach them the principle of
00:40:21.309 --> 00:40:23.578
Thankfulness, if they get birthday gifts,
00:40:23.578 --> 00:40:25.313
That they could write a thank you note,
00:40:25.313 --> 00:40:26.882
Those principles are what are teaching them to be a
00:40:26.882 --> 00:40:29.851
Good adult so that not only when they're older
00:40:29.851 --> 00:40:32.854
Do they live a life of gratitude for people
00:40:32.854 --> 00:40:35.223
Around them, but they also have a heart of
00:40:35.223 --> 00:40:37.092
Gratitude toward the lord because we're always
00:40:37.092 --> 00:40:39.127
Wanting to point them toward the lord.
00:40:39.127 --> 00:40:41.563
And so i think it's super important that we
00:40:41.563 --> 00:40:44.599
Teach our children about gratitude,
00:40:44.599 --> 00:40:46.301
So they grow up to have a heart to serve the lord,
00:40:46.301 --> 00:40:48.904
To be grateful for the things the lord gives
00:40:48.904 --> 00:40:50.906
Them, and to be grateful for the people around them.
00:40:50.906 --> 00:40:53.975
I always tell the kids, i say,
00:40:53.975 --> 00:40:55.644
You can't take anything from me.
00:40:55.644 --> 00:40:59.314
I gave it to you.
00:40:59.314 --> 00:41:01.116
There's nothing you can take from me because
00:41:01.116 --> 00:41:03.318
I give it to you.
00:41:03.318 --> 00:41:04.719
And i think the idea that there's going to never be
00:41:04.719 --> 00:41:07.822
Enough for me is where we have children that have
00:41:07.822 --> 00:41:14.229
An idea that this is the list and this is what
00:41:14.229 --> 00:41:16.965
They've got to have and what we do,
00:41:16.965 --> 00:41:18.967
Back to your point, toni, is that they are
00:41:18.967 --> 00:41:22.137
In bondage because they now are tied
00:41:22.137 --> 00:41:25.540
To these expectations.
00:41:25.540 --> 00:41:28.276
Expectations will drag us down to a place of
00:41:28.276 --> 00:41:31.646
Self-centeredness.
00:41:31.646 --> 00:41:33.748
Greed ultimately is a place of fear.
00:41:33.748 --> 00:41:37.986
And we know that the best thing we can do is
00:41:37.986 --> 00:41:42.057
Demonstrate how this story in jesus and what
00:41:42.057 --> 00:41:46.194
We have to demonstrate it behind the scenes when
00:41:46.194 --> 00:41:50.065
People aren't watching, when people aren't kind.
00:41:50.065 --> 00:41:54.502
The scripture's so clear to be good to those
00:41:54.502 --> 00:41:59.207
Who are not good to you.
00:41:59.207 --> 00:42:01.109
And so many times i've sat there and thought,
00:42:01.109 --> 00:42:03.945
You've gotta kidding me.
00:42:03.945 --> 00:42:05.513
You've gotta be kidding me.
00:42:05.513 --> 00:42:07.616
Because i say i can't.
00:42:07.616 --> 00:42:08.984
And the answer is, no, robyn, you can't.
00:42:08.984 --> 00:42:11.419
No, it's not hard.
00:42:11.419 --> 00:42:13.021
It is impossible.
00:42:13.021 --> 00:42:14.589
So therefore, you're going to have to ask someone.
00:42:14.589 --> 00:42:17.759
And now you look up and you say, god,
00:42:17.759 --> 00:42:19.494
Thank you for bringing this moment,
00:42:19.494 --> 00:42:22.597
This opportunity for me to grow, for me
00:42:22.597 --> 00:42:26.134
To stretch, for me to have a chance to
00:42:26.134 --> 00:42:30.639
Demonstrate even to myself,
00:42:30.639 --> 00:42:34.109
Even to my own self.
00:42:34.109 --> 00:42:37.278
Why is gratitude an important part of
00:42:37.278 --> 00:42:39.881
The christian life?
00:42:39.881 --> 00:42:41.750
Well, did you know that in the bible,
00:42:41.750 --> 00:42:44.152
The word thanks, thanksgiving appears more
00:42:44.152 --> 00:42:47.055
Than a hundred times.
00:42:47.055 --> 00:42:49.391
And giving thanks
00:42:49.391 --> 00:42:51.126
Where the scripture tells us to give thanks,
00:42:51.126 --> 00:42:53.695
That's 73 times.
00:42:53.695 --> 00:42:56.898
So it's obvious that giving thanks is very
00:42:56.898 --> 00:43:00.568
Important to god.
00:43:00.568 --> 00:43:01.903
And everything in the scripture that he tells
00:43:01.903 --> 00:43:05.040
Us to do is for our own benefit.
00:43:05.040 --> 00:43:08.143
You know what i've discovered?
00:43:08.143 --> 00:43:09.678
I've discovered that when i am thankful and when i
00:43:09.678 --> 00:43:13.882
Speak out my gratitude to him and to others,
00:43:13.882 --> 00:43:18.553
It changes me.
00:43:18.553 --> 00:43:20.755
I've discovered that my happiest days are the
00:43:20.755 --> 00:43:24.559
Days that i'm thankful.
00:43:24.559 --> 00:43:26.227
You say, what do you mean?
00:43:26.227 --> 00:43:27.395
I mean that it's not happy people who are thankful.
00:43:27.395 --> 00:43:32.534
It's thankful people who are happy.
00:43:32.534 --> 00:43:36.137
My pathway to happiness and energy and joy
00:43:36.137 --> 00:43:40.742
In life is gratitude.
00:43:40.742 --> 00:43:43.712
And with that, i encourage you to make
00:43:43.712 --> 00:43:46.815
Thanksgiving part of your every day lifestyle.
00:43:46.815 --> 00:43:51.453
I also think around the thanksgiving time,
00:43:52.420 --> 00:43:54.622
Everybody's like, where can i go serve and
00:43:54.622 --> 00:43:56.257
How can i, et cetera, et cetera.
00:43:56.257 --> 00:43:57.826
This past year, i realized in one of my
00:43:57.826 --> 00:44:00.995
Hardest seasons, i was having a conversation
00:44:00.995 --> 00:44:03.264
With someone just about how difficult life was,
00:44:03.264 --> 00:44:06.000
And it's just been a lot.
00:44:06.000 --> 00:44:08.336
And she just said, when i go through really,
00:44:08.336 --> 00:44:10.672
Really hard things, i try to find a place to serve.
00:44:10.672 --> 00:44:13.308
Absolutely.
00:44:13.308 --> 00:44:14.476
And i was like, huh, okay.
00:44:14.476 --> 00:44:18.079
Well, the capacity is looking a little slim
00:44:18.079 --> 00:44:20.915
Right now. i can't eat or sleep right now,
00:44:20.915 --> 00:44:23.785
So i don't know what you're talking about.
00:44:23.785 --> 00:44:25.453
I don't know if i have the energy for that,
00:44:25.453 --> 00:44:27.155
But i prayed about it and i was like,
00:44:27.155 --> 00:44:28.490
Lord, if there's an opportunity,
00:44:28.490 --> 00:44:30.258
And lo and behold, for a year now,
00:44:30.258 --> 00:44:32.961
I've been serving every month on a monday morning
00:44:32.961 --> 00:44:35.563
At a battered women's shelter in atlanta.
00:44:35.563 --> 00:44:37.799
And it's incredible.
00:44:37.799 --> 00:44:40.235
That's awesome.
00:44:40.235 --> 00:44:41.202
It's incredible.
00:44:41.202 --> 00:44:42.203
And here's what's even crazier.
00:44:42.203 --> 00:44:43.872
I go into this place thinking that i'm going
00:44:43.872 --> 00:44:46.541
To serve, and i'm going to help these sweet lowly
00:44:46.541 --> 00:44:49.944
Women... and look who comes out.
00:44:49.944 --> 00:44:53.615
And i'm looking at women who have been deeply
00:44:53.615 --> 00:44:56.551
Betrayed and lied to and abandoned and abused,
00:44:56.551 --> 00:45:01.923
And i'm like, these are parts of my story that i
00:45:01.923 --> 00:45:06.261
Just wasn't expecting to connect with
00:45:06.261 --> 00:45:08.930
Them so deeply in.
00:45:08.930 --> 00:45:10.999
And i'm telling you, man, psalm 91 was a scripture
00:45:10.999 --> 00:45:13.568
That the lord just kept, i mean, it was crazy.
00:45:13.568 --> 00:45:15.637
People would text me psalm 91.
00:45:15.637 --> 00:45:17.172
I would see it in different places
00:45:17.172 --> 00:45:18.640
And all these things.
00:45:18.640 --> 00:45:19.707
And i remember sharing a lot of the parts of my
00:45:19.707 --> 00:45:21.543
Story with these girls in the shelter,
00:45:21.543 --> 00:45:23.111
And they hung up the psalm 91 scripture
00:45:23.111 --> 00:45:26.047
In the classroom that i teach in.
00:45:26.047 --> 00:45:28.416
And just little things like that.
00:45:28.416 --> 00:45:31.352
I feel like our service, when we give of our time,
00:45:31.352 --> 00:45:34.889
Like our tangible time to show up for people
00:45:34.889 --> 00:45:37.392
And to physically be there for people,
00:45:37.392 --> 00:45:39.694
We just get blessed like nobody's business.
00:45:39.694 --> 00:45:42.163
I can't imagine a month does not go by when
00:45:42.163 --> 00:45:44.532
I don't go see my girls in the shelter.
00:45:44.532 --> 00:45:47.068
And so i think another really cool thing that we
00:45:47.068 --> 00:45:50.471
Could maybe start to implement in our lives
00:45:50.471 --> 00:45:52.907
That produces a level of gratitude and
00:45:52.907 --> 00:45:54.909
Thanksgiving is for us to go serve and
00:45:54.909 --> 00:45:58.012
Consistently, not november, december,
00:45:58.012 --> 00:46:00.215
Because january, february, march,
00:46:00.215 --> 00:46:01.816
Honestly, some of the hardest times for
00:46:01.816 --> 00:46:03.451
Shelters because everyone's dumped all
00:46:03.451 --> 00:46:05.520
Their goodness on them and then they left.
00:46:05.520 --> 00:46:08.389
And so what would that look like in your lives
00:46:08.389 --> 00:46:10.458
To figure out where to just be there?
00:46:10.458 --> 00:46:13.595
But when you do that, it does two things.
00:46:13.595 --> 00:46:16.164
It makes you realize you're not the only
00:46:16.164 --> 00:46:18.066
One in the world experiencing pain.
00:46:18.066 --> 00:46:19.901
In fact, probably you can witness people
00:46:19.901 --> 00:46:23.204
Experiencing deeper pain. deeper pain, right.
00:46:23.204 --> 00:46:25.240
And then second, it does begin to highlight
00:46:25.240 --> 00:46:29.277
That he becomes greater.
00:46:29.277 --> 00:46:31.579
He came as a servant.
00:46:31.579 --> 00:46:32.947
So you're serving and you're looking more like
00:46:32.947 --> 00:46:35.416
Him. and then it does make you look at
00:46:35.416 --> 00:46:37.986
Your problems less.
00:46:37.986 --> 00:46:39.787
It's not that they've disappeared,
00:46:39.787 --> 00:46:41.322
But it just takes, it shifts the focus.
00:46:41.322 --> 00:46:45.260
One of the things that's been super humbling
00:46:45.260 --> 00:46:47.161
About volunteering at a shelter is that i have
00:46:47.161 --> 00:46:50.732
Made a commitment to go every single month,
00:46:50.732 --> 00:46:53.134
Not only in november and december
00:46:53.134 --> 00:46:56.137
When everybody else is showing up to serve
00:46:56.137 --> 00:46:57.972
Because it's the holiday season,
00:46:57.972 --> 00:46:59.274
But in february and march and june randomly when
00:46:59.274 --> 00:47:02.343
Everybody's on vacation.
00:47:02.343 --> 00:47:04.345
That consistency has been probably the most
00:47:04.345 --> 00:47:07.582
Impactful thing i think,
00:47:07.582 --> 00:47:08.883
Of the women that i get to serve.
00:47:08.883 --> 00:47:10.618
It's not that i'm smart, it's not that i have so
00:47:10.618 --> 00:47:14.022
Much to offer them when i come,
00:47:14.022 --> 00:47:15.556
But it's that i keep showing up for them.
00:47:15.556 --> 00:47:17.592
I'm not there to serve because it's a cute thing
00:47:17.592 --> 00:47:21.062
To check off a box.
00:47:21.062 --> 00:47:22.297
I'm there to serve because i want god's
00:47:22.297 --> 00:47:24.666
Daughters in that shelter to know that there is
00:47:24.666 --> 00:47:27.168
Another daughter of god who proclaims jesus and
00:47:27.168 --> 00:47:30.738
Proclaims that they're not alone.
00:47:30.738 --> 00:47:32.674
And so i just would encourage you to
00:47:32.674 --> 00:47:34.275
Understand that when you are serving god's people,
00:47:34.275 --> 00:47:37.378
It's not about a season, it's about a posture.
00:47:37.378 --> 00:47:39.948
And the best relationships that we
00:47:39.948 --> 00:47:42.283
Ever get to build when we serve those in our
00:47:42.283 --> 00:47:44.352
Community that need it the most is to remind them
00:47:44.352 --> 00:47:47.155
That just like there's a god that doesn't leave
00:47:47.155 --> 00:47:49.490
Them, we won't leave them either because we've
00:47:49.490 --> 00:47:52.360
Checked off some sort of serving box,
00:47:52.360 --> 00:47:54.729
But because this is who we are,
00:47:54.729 --> 00:47:56.731
We get to serve like jesus served every day.
00:47:56.731 --> 00:48:01.169
But it's like we become like god's secret agents
00:48:01.169 --> 00:48:03.738
A great thought though, that we could just
00:48:03.738 --> 00:48:05.573
Because we're here as god's daughters on the
00:48:05.573 --> 00:48:07.542
Earth at this moment, no accident.
00:48:07.542 --> 00:48:09.744
All of heaven is watching,
00:48:09.744 --> 00:48:11.679
And we get to wake up every day and think,
00:48:11.679 --> 00:48:13.715
Okay, today, lord, what's the plan?
00:48:13.715 --> 00:48:16.250
That's my prayer every morning.
00:48:16.250 --> 00:48:17.485
I've said this before, but every morning,
00:48:17.485 --> 00:48:19.320
The minute i open my eyes, i'm like,
00:48:19.320 --> 00:48:20.588
Good morning, lord. i dunno where you're going today,
00:48:20.588 --> 00:48:22.890
But wherever you're going,
00:48:22.890 --> 00:48:23.925
I am coming with you.
00:48:23.925 --> 00:48:25.393
And i tuck a little bit of money into my pocket
00:48:25.393 --> 00:48:28.296
And i look for the person throughout the day.
00:48:28.296 --> 00:48:30.999
It happened to me the other day, this woman,
00:48:30.999 --> 00:48:32.667
I was trying to put my trash in a thing behind
00:48:32.667 --> 00:48:35.370
A store, which i think is illegal.
00:48:35.370 --> 00:48:37.205
I'm gonna be honest about that.
00:48:37.205 --> 00:48:39.140
I just felt, i felt that confession.
00:48:39.140 --> 00:48:42.043
I needed to put that out there every week
00:48:42.043 --> 00:48:43.945
In recycled. i do not know her.
00:48:43.945 --> 00:48:45.947
And i can't get it in.
00:48:45.947 --> 00:48:47.348
And then this woman comes out the 7-eleven,
00:48:47.348 --> 00:48:49.817
And she's coming over to me, and i think she's
00:48:49.817 --> 00:48:51.419
Going to citizen's arrest. i'm done.
00:48:51.419 --> 00:48:53.788
And she comes over and she said, no,
00:48:53.788 --> 00:48:54.956
Let me get that for you.
00:48:54.956 --> 00:48:56.357
She takes it from me and bends it all up
00:48:56.357 --> 00:48:58.159
And puts it in.
00:48:58.159 --> 00:48:59.293
And the lord said, okay, now. i've had this in my
00:48:59.293 --> 00:49:02.397
Pocket for a bit and i give it to her,
00:49:02.397 --> 00:49:04.499
And she turns and looks at me and tears.
00:49:04.499 --> 00:49:06.434
And she said, no, she didn't talk to me.
00:49:06.434 --> 00:49:08.236
She said, thank you, lord. i knew you would.
00:49:08.236 --> 00:49:11.105
Oh, there's, i think, wouldn't it be great just
00:49:11.105 --> 00:49:16.577
Because of everything the lord's given us,
00:49:16.577 --> 00:49:18.780
That we decide let's make a fresh commitment that
00:49:18.780 --> 00:49:21.649
Every day we just look for these moments,
00:49:21.649 --> 00:49:24.018
These god winks and these moments to plant seeds and--
00:49:24.018 --> 00:49:27.422
Amen.
00:49:27.422 --> 00:49:28.623
Just and step out in faith.
00:49:28.623 --> 00:49:30.458
Say, where are you?
00:49:30.458 --> 00:49:31.692
The harvest.
00:49:31.692 --> 00:49:33.227
Go thankful.
00:49:33.227 --> 00:49:34.462
Oh lord, we are so thankful.
00:49:34.462 --> 00:49:36.230
We're so thankful that we get to be all of who we
00:49:36.230 --> 00:49:38.566
Are in your presence.
00:49:38.566 --> 00:49:40.368
We get to bring our joys and our sorrows,
00:49:40.368 --> 00:49:42.670
Our struggles.
00:49:42.670 --> 00:49:43.938
But even just hearing all the stories that you've
00:49:43.938 --> 00:49:45.907
Been weaving in all of our lives,
00:49:45.907 --> 00:49:48.209
It's just amazing.
00:49:48.209 --> 00:49:49.710
Lord, you're such a good, good god.
00:49:49.710 --> 00:49:51.679
And then we hear of all the people who tune in
00:49:51.679 --> 00:49:53.748
From south africa and from different countries
00:49:53.748 --> 00:49:56.684
And share their stories with us,
00:49:56.684 --> 00:49:58.486
And that we really are this family that are
00:49:58.486 --> 00:50:00.988
Learning to look more like you.
00:50:00.988 --> 00:50:03.324
So in this season of thankfulness, lord,
00:50:03.324 --> 00:50:06.694
I pray that as toni said, that it wouldn't just
00:50:06.694 --> 00:50:08.930
Be a season that comes and goes,
00:50:08.930 --> 00:50:10.665
That you would birth in us
00:50:10.665 --> 00:50:12.700
A heart of gratitude and the overflow would touch
00:50:12.700 --> 00:50:16.637
Everyone around us.
00:50:16.637 --> 00:50:18.673
Help us to live lives that make others want to know
00:50:18.673 --> 00:50:22.643
Who are you and who is this jesus that you love?
00:50:22.643 --> 00:50:26.814
We thank you for your goodness.
00:50:26.814 --> 00:50:28.349
We thank you for your kindness.
00:50:28.349 --> 00:50:29.750
We thank you for your mercy.
00:50:29.750 --> 00:50:31.352
We just thank you and we love you.
00:50:31.352 --> 00:50:33.788
In jesus name, amen.
00:50:33.788 --> 00:50:36.624
Connect with us on social media and let us know
00:50:37.758 --> 00:50:39.927
How our team can pray for you.
00:50:39.927 --> 00:50:43.331
Stream full episodes of better together on demand.
00:50:43.331 --> 00:50:47.135
Go to bettertogether.tv to stream all of our
00:50:47.135 --> 00:50:49.770
Latest conversations.
00:50:49.770 --> 00:50:49.770

The Power of "Thank You" - Episode 1010

November 22, 2024 | S6:E1010

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