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Grace Church
257 Kendall Street
Burlington, WI 53105

(262) 763-3021

Email:
Pastor Scott Carson

Secretary Patti Hall

PASTOR'S PENS 2003

Grace Church of Burlington November 30, 2003 I hate making the bed but . . .             Okay, I confess. I’m not overly “domestic.” Some men are excellent at housework and other home details (our beloved assistant puts me to shame on this one). Now there are some things that I don’t mind. It doesn’t bother me to wash the dishes and I really enjoy cooking. I even like grocery shopping. Most other details around the house are not a big deal to me. But I detest making the bed. I don’t know why...maybe I have bed maker phobia. Perhaps as a child I suffered from sheet abuse or from pillow violation, I’m not sure...but I hate making the bed.             Though I hate making the bed, whenever Jane works I always make the bed. Why? Because it’s very important to Jane. And I get such mileage out of it. A couple of weeks ago Jane was subbing, and I made the bed (Aaron actually helped yet why should he get credit for what I initiated? ). Our schedules were a little more hectic and Jane and I had been ships passing in the night, but two days after I did the foul deed, she thanked me for it. No prodding or hinting on my part, she thanked me for it...and she nearly always does.             Now please get this, Jane does all the washing, cleaning, nearly all of the cooking – I make the bed only when she has to work – and she makes over me like I gave her a hundred dollar bill. I’d be a nut to not make the bed. I love making the bed for Jane!!             Can I share another one? Every day Jane or I pick up Ben after school (it’s usually Jane) and we also give Angie and Katie Borucki a ride. Every time that I drop them off, they must thank me at least three times for giving them a ride.  Now I have to pick up Ben anyway and Karyn Borucki gives Ben a ride every morning to school (though it’s an inconvenience), but they thank me like I had given them a hundred dollar bill. I love giving the Borucki girls a ride!! They have a permanent ride with me as long as they want it!!             What’s my point? Gratitude generates generosity! I love to do things for Jane. Last summer I gave her money for clothes and she still hadn’t spent it (her birthday was in June) because she just hadn’t had time and it hadn’t been a priority. One store that Jane likes was having a big sale a week ago and Jane had other commitments, so I took Ben and we went clothes shopping for Mom.  Now sorting through the women’s department is not my favorite thing. But Jane is always so thankful for even the little things I do for her, that I love doing things for her. And I love giving the Borucki girls a ride because they are always so thankful!!             Our Heavenly Father loves gratitude, too! It’s interesting that if you do a study of Scripture, I believe that you will find that those whom God consistently blessed were also characteristically grateful individuals. Now that is not to suggest that we express gratitude to God as a way of manipulating Him. Yet, it is noteworthy that Abraham, David, Paul and many others were greatly blessed of God, yet they were also people of gratitude and praise. On the other hand, individuals like Jacob and Jonah were blessed by God but not in the same generous way. They were also both gripers and groaners. And though all believers have their valleys, Jacob and Jonah seemed to only see the valleys and let God know that they weren’t happy about it.             I wonder if God blesses grateful people out of His grace and if He blesses gripers out of His mercy. Anyway that you cut it, God blesses all of us. We are unworthy of any of His mercies. Yet I believe that He blesses grateful people more. It’s interesting, too, that those who are grateful to God also tend to be grateful with others. They are pleased with every little kindness and blessing, whether it is from God or people.             So, which one are you? Are you a person of gratitude or griping? Choose to be a grateful person...all of us have so much for which to be grateful!! For those who have been rescued from Hell and given eternity in Heaven, every single day ought to be Thanksgiving!!