“What? Americans Are That Way?” – Now Think On This by Steve Martin
Dec. 23, 2019
“We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks…” Psalm 75:1, NASU
When the speaker that morning proclaimed that in a recent poll published that Americas have now become among those near the top, if not THE top, countries listed as “Complainers”, I was a bit shocked. And then I was very much ashamed.
How could we, a nation so blessed by the Lord above, have become ones who number most among those ungrateful and most unappreciative, and prove it by being complainers.
It is a sad commentary on our society. And yet, if you look around long enough, you can hear, see, and sense it is so true quite often. We have become complainers. It is because we have lost our appreciation for the gift of life the Lord has given us.
We can’t be around one another too long before we become bored and want to leave. We’d rather spend time on Facebook, Twitter, or a smartphone video game. By our self.
It is raining outside, and it is going to rain on our parade. We let the Creator know we don’t like it (though we don’t put it in those words or say to Him out loud. Just to those around us. After all, He is not listening anyway, right?)
The neighbor’s dog is barking again outside. Why can’t they shut that thing up? Oh yes, it is their only companion (because I won’t be one to them.)
What! The can of string beans went up again $0.04, and the T-bone steak up another $0.30 a pound! Yes, there are still kids starving in China.
Someone left their shoes near the front door again, cluttering up the area. We are annoyed, again, that someone is with us. We’d rather not have their shoes show they are still here? I know some who would love to have their loved one’s shoes once again by the front door.
We send our well-trained, well-equipped troops to help another country in need, to save their people from slaughter, and we complain that we should just let them alone (and die by themselves.) Who cares about people way off in another country, anyway? Didn’t Vietnam prove that, and now Afghanistan? Another answer for another day.
We give our grandkids presents, and time, and speak a word to help them along the way, and we never hear a “Thank you”, or “I appreciate that” from them? I guess their parents didn’t teach them? Because we didn’t teach the parents when they were under our training. Shame on us.
Sometimes I am tempted to quit sending graduation gifts, wedding presents, or funds to help others who ask me, even on an all-important missions’ trip, every time I am asked. I never hear back. Sorry, I complain about that one.
How about this one. We don’t want to be burdened with another. So, we kill our unborn.
I often wonder how the Lord Jesus felt after He healed the 10, and only one came back and thanked Him.
“Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.
So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:11-19, NKJV
It is a sad thing that we have lost the value of thankfulness, appreciation, gladness of heart when someone has done something for us, or to us, to help and encourage us along the way.
So what is the solution? First and foremost, it begins with us, by being thankful ourselves, and expressing that thankfulness to the Lord. Every day. He doesn’t have to bless us, but He ALWAYS is blessing us, whether we choose to acknowledge Him or not. With life, with His goodness, with His Son Jesus and His Holy Spirit. The list will go on for eternity.
Hey, He even blesses us with rain, so we have green grass, fresh water, and recreational lakes, rivers, and ponds to swim in, boat, and fish! (Ever been to a desert?)
The next time someone gives you something, send back a nice text, email, or Facebook post, or show appreciation in any way, big or small, by taking the 2-3 seconds it would take, just at least say or write, “Thank you.”
And oh, by the way, thank the Lord that you can read this. It is He who has given us all that we have, even our sight, our ears to hear sounds, and our mouths to speak good things. Can we have a little thanks, yes, to Him?
And hey! Thanks for reading this. Share it with another if they might need a budge or two in this area of their life too.
Now think on this.
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People, Inc.
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Now Think On This #472 – in the year of our Lord 12.23.19 – “What? Americans Are That Way?” Monday 4:00 pm
