A couple months ago I heard my friend, Pastor Steven Furtick, say something that cut me to the core. He said,
“You can’t be grateful for something you feel entitled to.”
Ouch! And it’s so true.
I have no clue what you think you may be entitled to. Maybe your…
- Car
- House
- Kids
- Spouse
- Job
- Friends
- Education
- Church
All I know is whatever you feel entitled to, you won’t be grateful for.
This hit me hard earlier this week. I pulled into my garage where my kids had once again left their toys out. Frustrated, I got out of my truck and huffed and puffed over to the toys, picked them up and threw them into a pile so I could pull in.
As I sat down in my truck to drive into the garage I felt God instantly convict me. It felt like a wrecking ball had just come through the window.
The thought that crossed my mind was this:
Pete, do you know how many parents who have experienced a death of a child who would love to have to move some of their kids toys out of the way so they can park their car?
Pete, do you know how many couples are struggling to have children and would right now sell everything they own to have a child and experience your slight inconvenience?
I can be so ungrateful. I can start to think that I have what I have because I deserve it or it’s somehow owed to me. But it’s not.
Everything I have is the result of the goodness of God.
My relationships are not owed to me.
My job is not owed to me.
This very day is not owed to me.
My next breath is not owed to me.
It’s all a gift. All of it.
What’s one thing you feel entitled to and are therefore missing the opportunity to be thankful for it?
