The late Rev. John Henry Jowett, said, “Gratitude is a vaccine, an antitoxin and an antiseptic. It is a vaccine to prevent the invasion of a disgruntled, discouraged spirit. It is an antitoxin to destroy the poisons of cynicism, and criticalness. It is an antiseptic to soothe and heal the most troubled spirit.”

My wife, Melinda, her aunt Rena Mae put flesh and blood on this quote. Rena Mae was born in a log cabin beside crooked creek outside Marion, KY. She said they were poor but did not realize it because they were so loved by their family.

Later she married a farmer. She was unable to have children and all she ever wanted was to be a mother. When the economy was rough her husband drove two hours to work at the Ford Factory in Louisville so they wouldn’t lose the farm. Rena Mae took over all the farm chores.

When I met her she was a widow still living on the farm. She never ever was unpleasant but always joyful. She brought joy and peace when she entered the room. When things got anxious, she would say count your blessings.

This morning, as Rena Mae taught her family, I encourage you to fill your minds today and every day with the best, not the worst, the beautiful, not the ugly, the things to praise, not the things to curse. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude and experience the Joy and Peace of Christ.

But you may ask what is the peace of God that passes all understanding?

I am not sure I understand all of that but I want to tell you, the times I have tasted it, the times I have known it down in my soul, I wouldn’t trade it for anything in all the world.

A neighborhood library offered a community competition for the best painting symbolizing peace. The award-winning artwork would be prominently displayed in the library. When all the entries were in, the judges narrowed the competition down to two.

One painting featured a majestic lake, so tranquil and still that the lush hills behind it were perfectly mirrored in its reflection.

Above was a blue sky, around it were blooming wild flowers. Behind it were deer grazing in the meadows. It was a piece to behold. It was a picture of peace.

The other finalist portrayed a terrible storm, winds blowing, trees bending, and debris flying through the air. The sky was dark, the sight was stark, and there was not a person in sight.

There was, however, a bird perched on a limb on one of those bended trees. Observers got the impression that the bird was singing.

To which painting would you award the prize of peace? The judges chose the song bird in the storm. Peace is not the absence of conflict. Peace is consolation of the heart.

Remember, Paul wrote this passage of scripture from a Roman prison where he was sentenced to die.

“Though billows roll, He keeps my soul. My heavenly Father watches over me.” Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving; let your requests be made known to God.

In the stress and struggle of life, some of us have lost our self-esteem, our hope for tomorrow, our confidence for today. Can you rejoice in the Lord anyway? Is there a song in your heart that the world never gave? Is there a peace the world cannot take away?

Gratefulness is more than a momentary emotion. It is a profoundly spiritual and powerfully healing state of being that abides through the tides of time. Do you have a grateful heart?

So Paul then says, “Keep on doing the things you have learned and received.” He is saying that gratitude is a way of life.

Jesus was our earthly model of gratitude. Like every good Jew, Jesus thanked God before and after each meal. He was raised to be thankful for the food he received. In Sabbath school he learned to pray the Psalms. “Bless the Lord, O my soul … and forget not all God benefits.”

Such were the prayers that came from Jesus’ lips. In his hymn of Jubilation Jesus said, Thanks God, for hiding things from the clever and revealing them to children (Luke 10:31).

In the Upper Room, where death was imminent in the air, He took some bread and gave thanks. Jesus was grateful for the birds of the air, the lilies of the field, the critters that roam the countryside and the creatures that swim in the sea. He lived a life of gratitude. Do you?

To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch heaven.

A NASA Engineer, David Saucier, who had enjoyed ten years of quality life after a heart transplant, reflected on the difference this new heart made in his life.

“In addition to this being a miracle of medicine, for a new heart to become a part of the living me is a miracle of God.

Many people ask me if the heart transplant changed my life. It has in the following ways:

1) I have a renewed sense of URGENCY. I know that if I want to stop and smell the roses, I had better do it now.

2). There is GRATITUDE. I do not understand this miracle. All I can do is accept it and feel grateful for each additional day.

3.) Finally, I walk a LITTLE CLOSER TO GOD. When someone goes with you through the valleys of the shadows of death, you develop a special bond with them. My God and I went through this transplant together.”

Are you living a life of gratitude?

Give thanks with a grateful heart. Give thanks to the Holy One. Give thanks because he’s given Jesus Christ his Son.

And now let the weak say, “I am strong.” Let the poor say, “I am rich.” Because of what the Lord has done for us.

“Live a life of gratitude!”

Closing Prayer

Gracious and loving God, in this moment of peace, quiet our souls so we can hear your voice and feel your presence as we join together offering prayers of thanksgiving and intercession to God.

We thank you for one more day and the joy of being together in this sacred place of worship and the many blessings you have bestowed on each of us.

We praise you Lord with grateful hearts and pray that we can be worthy of your love. Help us to know what is most important in life and what our purpose is for being.

Open our hearts and minds to your word, turning us to scripture so we can find our way. Are we not put on this earth to simply love one another, sharing God’s generous love given to us through his living sacrifice? You love us so much

Lord of mercy, show us how to love one another. While no one has ever seen God, help us to know that if we love one another the Lord of hosts lives in us, and his love will be perfected through us.

Life is not easy for so many, and a burdensome challenge for those who do not have the advantages in life we too often take for granted. Guide us everlasting God so we can hear the cry for help from the sick, the unemployed, the homebound, the depressed, the lost, and the oppressed.

We pray for the homeless, those who are lonely, victims of crime, anyone facing temptation and suffering with addiction. [Please take a moment of silence for your own personal reflection and petition.]

Show us spirit of Christ how to see the world through your eyes and know that everyone is important, everyone has a story to tell, and let us not be distracted and consumed by those things which separate us from your love that is to flow through us to one another. Help us lamb of God to find the answers by following you as we go through each day always trusting in you, finding ways to do good, feeding on your faithfulness while taking delight in the ways of the Lord, knowing that he will see to the desires of our heart. We offer our allegiance to your Reign as we pray the prayer you taught us saying:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.