“I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers … yet I appeal to you on the basis of love” Philemon 4 … 9.

How easy in a land of abundance to have an “entitlement attitude.” Everything ought to go right, and everything I want (not need) should come to me when I want it. I wonder if the nine healed lepers who went on their way had this attitude? But thankfulness is love. When we take a moment to thank another person or God for something done for us, we step away from a self-focus. 1 Corinthians 13 tells us that love is not self-seeking. So, thankfulness recognizes someone else’s (or God’s) love and returns love as the deed is acknowledged. Being thankful takes only a second’s pause, but to have the thankful attitude that would acknowledge another’s love takes an act of love on your part.

Do you have an attitude of thankfulness?