Living Grateful
by Sharon Betters
Today’s Treasure
The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him.
Psalm 28:7 ESV
Dear Friends,
In our Pilgrimage Fueled by Hope devotional series, we regularly asked the question, “What’s my default mode or auto response when life comes crashing down?” We have considered the importance of putting systems in place “when the sun is shining” and realized that our daily circumstances are a school room where we learn and practice disciplines.
This week my friend, Sherry Bitler, reminds us of the power of gratitude to change a bad day into a good one. Who of us allows “little things” to irritate and create an ever widening circle of discontent? Sherry helps us see that mundane moments are opportunities to react to those frustrations through the grid of gratitude. The more we practice “living gratefully” the more likely gratitude will show up when life takes an unexpected turn.
Sherry’s life includes all the ups and downs of staying home with four little ones, traveling with high schoolers as a marching band parent, leading PTA, and teaching Sunday School. Sherry started a traditional Christian School and led a homeschooling group of over 200 students until she received a Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis that forced her to leave a church staff position she loved, and much more. You can hear more about Sherry’s Multiple Sclerosis journey by listening to our conversation with her in our MARKINC Ministries Help & Hope audio library. Sherry loves being Butch’s bride and Grammie to twelve grandchildren. A few years ago her family encouraged her to record her perspective on life in her blog Grateful Grammie. I depend on people like Sherry to shine the light of Jesus on those places where I’ve lost my way. I know her words will encourage you to choose gratitude instead of discontentment, especially in those challenging moments of life.
Treasured by Him,
Sharon
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
As you join your church family for worship, look around the congregation and thank God for each person who has touched your life over the years. Ask Him to plant Scripture from the message or the words of a friend in your heart so that you are better equipped to push life through the grid of gratitude this week.
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Sharon W. Betters is author of Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness and co-author of Treasures of Faith. She is Director of Resource Development and co-founder of MARKINC.org, a non profit organization that offers help and hope to hurting people. Sharon enjoys quality time with her husband, children and fourteen grandchildren.
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Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.