Gratitude Redux

 

I grew up a "Whiner," having stumbled early on the efficacy of the device.  Whining, as I'd respond to Daddy's "What's wrong," became the main tool in a skimpy arsenal of ruses. But no-nonsense (Grand) Mama would shush me with, "Girl, stop complaining! You're walking around with a loaf of bread under each arm and whining that you're hungry!" Hmm. Mama didn't mince words. As the youngest child of seven, however, I continued practicing the art with varied success. I even tried whining to anyone, unsuspecting adult or acquaintance alike.  How he did it I'll never know, but Sam older by eighteen months usurped my role as"Baby in the family" without ever whining.  You go figure! 

I first heard Mother sing, "Count your blessings, name them one by one; count your blessings see what God has one..." but didn't connect the dots between bread and blessings for years, decades, if truth be told.  Whining worked, until it didn't.  By that time thankfully (don't remember when), I'd acquired other means to attempt to assert control; yet, they weren't always as efficient or effective as whining.  Negotiations became essential; still, I used whatever seemed more effective as whining had been.

Fast forward to several years ago when in prayer I asked Holy Spirit to teach me! A form of surrender, I had no idea the myriad ways in which He, the Master Rabbi, has used to tutor me.  I can liken it to the man who importuned Jesus, "open my eyes that I might see," and his world opened up to panoramic views.  Request granted!  Holy Spirit began teaching me the instant I asked and He hasn't stopped yet! 

I am eternally grateful; "He looked beyond my faults and saw my need."  He heard my plaintive cry when I confessed that there was so much I didn't know about Him or about life!  The late James Cleveland sang, "Father, open our eyes that we may see to follow Thee..."  Then one Sunday, Pastor Joelle invited us to read the Gospels as one of the ways to prepare for Lent, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection.   As Little Richard would exclaim, "Goodness gracious, great balls of fire," klieg-sized lights came on in my spirit and highlighted the whys, wherefores, whats, and whens of the life of Jesus and His intimacy with ordinary people!

"And when Jesus heard it he said to them,  "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  I came not to call the righteous, but sinners" (Mark 2:17).

Hallelujah! I understood finally that (Grand) Mama's "loaves of bread" analogy had the spiritual imprint of the Gospel of John whose record of the teachings Jesus included, "Then Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly I say to you. it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven...I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst... I am the living bread that came down from heaven..." (John 6: 32, 35, 51).

Most specifically, I understood the old admonition, "Be careful what you ask for because you might get it!"  Think carefully, dear Readers, as you call forth Matthew 7: 7-8, Mark 11: 24, Luke 11:9, and John 14:13 among others in Scripture. I guarantee He will answer when you call.

"How can I say thanks
for the things, You have done for me
Things so undeserved
yet You gave to prove your love for me;
The voices of a million angels
could not express my gratitude.
All that I am an ever hope to be,
I owe it all to Thee."