Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Reflection - Number Our Days - Is This All The Thanks I Get?

Source (book): "Teach Us to Number Our Days", Chapter 15, "Is This All The Thanks I Get?", Page 76.
By David Roper, Pastor, and regular and popular writer for Our Daily Bread.


Teach me, Lord, not to gather encouragement
PHOTO: Teach me, Lord, not to gather encouragement
from appreciation by others, lest this should
interfere with purity of motive - not to seek praise,
respect, gratitude, or regard from superiors or
equals on account of age, or past service.

- Edward Benson From Prayers,
Public And Private


For several years Carolyn and I, somewhat like Job, sat in a "Nash heap" - a 1959, porcelain-white Nash Rambler station wagon that looked for all the world like an inverted bathtub on wheels. If it were turned upside down, I could have clamped an outboard motor on the rear bumper and raced the thing in Vancouver's annual Nanaimo Bathtub Regatta.

I still remember the day we began visiting car lots to replace it. We looked at a number of shiny new vehicles and finally decided on a purchase. Unfortunately, the payments were more than we could carry.

We dickered (bargained) for a while with the salesman - his price and ours - but concluded that the twain (two) would never meet and hastened to make our departure. As we were leaving his office, the salesman gave us his best shot. "Hey, you guys deserve this car," he shouted. In my heart of hearts I responded, "Indeed we do!"

Entitlement has always been one of my soft spots. "I've been a pretty good guy," I say to myself. "My accomplishments deserve a bit of praise." Which is why I get my nose out of joint when people don't appreciate me.

Then one day I came upon God's word to Zechariah about a shepherd who dedicated himself to the good of his people, who encouraged peace, prosperity, and brought tranquility and harmony to his flock. He, however, far from being appreciated, was despised and rejected. Those who discarded him set his price at thirty pieces of silver, the value of a slave. (Zechariah 11:7-13) Should I expect more?

And then there is Solomon's tale of "a small city with only a few people in it, and a powerful king who . . . surrounded it and built huge siege works against it." But, "there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom." Let's hear it for the wise man! What will he receive for his efforts? Alas, "nobody remembered that poor man." (Ecclesiastes 9:14-15)

One of the things I'm learning as I grow older is not to expect too much from people. It's possible to pour a good deal of effort, energy, and love into a friend or family member and receive nothing but ingratitude for our efforts. It's even possible that others may receive credit for the good that we've done.

We should all express appreciation to those who come to our side, but if we expect everyone to recognize what we have done for them, we can be deeply hurt. And we'll soon be asking ourselves: "Is this all the thanks I get?"

It's good, in those times of disappointment, to look into our own motives: Do we have an unholy sense of entitlement, or a passion to be seen and applauded for our efforts? Can we give freely and allow others to take responsibility for their own responses?

There are grateful men and women in this world, and we may hear from them. But the statistics in Jesus' parable of the ten virgins suggest that perhaps only ten percent of those we love and serve will ever thank us. The others will be silent at best. At worst they may be hostile. So if even one has responded, be grateful. And remember - God alone enables us to do good things for others.

And if the love of a grateful heart
As a rich reward be given,
Lift thou the love of a grateful heart
To the God of Love in Heaven.


Ingratitude in others can embitter us if we're not watchful. We must forgive those who fail to thank us - even those who, despite the love we've bestowed upon them, have turned away from us. Jesus said, "Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful . . . " (Luke 6:35)

Our Lord will be "kind" to us when we see Him face to face, for we too have been ungrateful. His "well-done" will ring throughout the universe, and He will praise us before human beings and angels. This may be the only appreciation we receive for the good we've done on earth, but in the end it's the only praise that will matter.

And though we cannot do much about those who disregard us, we can do a good deal about ourselves. Sometimes in the busyness of our lives we fail to express appreciation to those who have contributed so much to us - parents, spouses, siblings, friends, teachers, mentors, colleagues, to name only a few. Yet it doesn't take much time or effort to express our gratitude - a brief but heartfelt word of appreciation, a phone call, a text message, an e-mail, or a thank-you note will do.

Speaking of which, Carolyn and I have often marveled at our culture's indifference to thank-you notes. "I don't write little thank-you notes," a man said recently in our hearing. We could only stare in amazement. Is this refinement and courtesy so frivolous (unimportant) that it's now beneath us?

"Sending thank-you notes has become a lost art," mourns Mary Mitchell, a syndicated columnist who writes under the name of Ms. Demeanor. "A grateful attitude is a tremendous life skill, and an efficient and inexpensive way to set ourselves apart in the work force and in our adult lives . . . The habit of manners comes from inside - it's an attitude based on respecting other people."

Appreciation is an attitude based on respect for other people, even the unkind and ungrateful. But primarily it is an attitude based on love, for "love has good manners." (1 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV) And the habit of thankfulness must come from inside, for gratitude is the work of God's Holy Spirit. Apart from His grace, we would all be ungrateful wretches.
Picture posted by Shristi Patni, F and B Recipes


Teach me, Lord, not to gather encouragement
from appreciation by others, lest this should
interfere with purity of motive - not to seek praise,
respect, gratitude, or regard from superiors or
equals on account of age, or past service.

- Edward Benson From Prayers,
Public And Private



Teach me, Lord, not to gather encouragement from appreciation by others, lest this should interfere with purity of motive
PHOTO: Teach me, Lord, not to gather encouragement from appreciation by others, lest this should interfere with purity of motive - not to seek praise, respect, gratitude, or regard from superiors or equals on account of age, or past service. - Edward Benson From Prayers,
Public And Private
Picture posted by WA Parks Foundation

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_ZQlQthNFX_X_0yHg8kYs6xD-L5evaoHK49lsjfvdAOWw6n7vyj3HY9B9HevhHS6PhzgFhHVAWn0QqlTNyyv795XK0d_ideamiXFICqlb4mBf3OudN28xjQRkg1nz-w-kDSgLCtY0mw/s1920/LIKE4271_Wellness_Indian_Ocean.jpg
https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/assets.wa-parks/app/uploads/2020/06/15132238/LIKE4271_Wellness_Indian_Ocean.jpg
https://www.ourwaparks.org.au/gratitude-a-way-of-connecting-with-nature/



For several years Carolyn and I, somewhat like Job, sat in a "Nash heap" - a 1959, porcelain-white Nash Rambler station wagon that looked for all the world like an inverted bathtub on wheels. If it were turned upside down, I could have clamped an outboard motor on the rear bumper and raced the thing in Vancouver's annual Nanaimo Bathtub Regatta.


Porcelain-white Nash Rambler station wagon
PHOTO: Porcelain-white Nash Rambler station wagon
Picture posted by .imcdb.org

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-RN9mHsclIAYde68RZAJp2vQXudyeyN3wtiriXXohaDXJi2gvWIFO7oprGyFvoQMbE1xf9QaLiqeGBh_G8eSWMWGRJv5m3WSwMLx3BBlT9HixuCUiy4hrF-SczmxiopasPcRE3PvM6U/s640/1super8m.jpg
https://pics.imcdb.org/5217/1super8m.jpg
https://www.imcdb.org/v055760.html



I still remember the day we began visiting car lots to replace it. We looked at a number of shiny new vehicles and finally decided on a purchase. Unfortunately, the payments were more than we could carry.

We dickered (bargained) for a while with the salesman - his price and ours - but concluded that the twain (two) would never meet and hastened to make our departure. As we were leaving his office, the salesman gave us his best shot. "Hey, you guys deserve this car," he shouted. In my heart of hearts I responded, "Indeed we do!"


I still remember the day we began visiting car lots to replace it.
PHOTO: I still remember the day we began visiting car lots to replace it. We looked at a number of shiny new vehicles and finally decided on a purchase. Unfortunately, the payments were more than we could carry.
We dickered
(bargained) for a while with the salesman - his price and ours - but concluded that the twain (two) would never meet and hastened to make our departure.
Picture posted by Fandom

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggW_pIOW1eQ8NXEq25MgoVGG4DKLyvifbfEemjwbF0mgdOqNucsnJQQBkpNapOCmdjNHD9r5_LPxU1y5J2XGL8rF6y_9A2Ubydm1Ww-wbr3hvfFdimzo8qFpgDkO_xcHs_NgzGG07FELA/s807/static-assets-upload17990830644404066904.webp
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/cf1fc075-5445-4aaf-a575-cd1ef45dc050
https://spongebob.fandom.com/f/p/4400000000000324076



Entitlement has always been one of my soft spots. "I've been a pretty good guy," I say to myself. "My accomplishments deserve a bit of praise." Which is why I get my nose out of joint when people don't appreciate me.


Entitlement has always been one of my soft spots.
PHOTO: Entitlement has always been one of my soft spots. "I've been a pretty good guy," I say to myself. "My accomplishments deserve a bit of praise." Which is why I get my nose out of joint when people don't appreciate me.
Picture posted by Kathy Hartman

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxATNM6gMUT0LLJg8yhhCEz08Tt0quymueWD8-zr-MewTJ0-VUzZV61nyZ4EyJ_IfOhjxzJ-OopoAbDg15qnvfKoTMJPIfD6cOoz1wJGomHJjYU7VZV0wadt1pab9s9wudj-w1mfQCgo/s1754/page-1_1.png
https://kathyhartmanblog.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/page-1.png
https://kathyhartman.blog/2017/08/23/mine-mine-mine-six-keys-to-earning-customer-loyalty/



Then one day I came upon God's word to Zechariah about a shepherd who dedicated himself to the good of his people, who encouraged peace, prosperity, and brought tranquility and harmony to his flock. He, however, far from being appreciated, was despised and rejected. Those who discarded him set his price at thirty pieces of silver, the value of a slave. (Zechariah 11:7-13) [70] Should I expect more?


Then one day I came upon God's word to Zechariah about a shepherd who dedicated himself to the good of his people, who encouraged peace, prosperity, and brought tranquility and harmony to his flock.
PHOTO: Then one day I came upon God's word to Zechariah about a shepherd who dedicated himself to the good of his people, who encouraged peace, prosperity, and brought tranquility and harmony to his flock. He, however, far from being appreciated, was despised and rejected. Those who discarded him set his price at thirty pieces of silver, the value of a slave. (Zechariah 11:7-13)
Painting by Johann Baptist Hofner - The Shepherdess
Picture from Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyh9Qy01S6KNHc5xjLg_1VSmdTCvoFUUi2mlSL0D9V92MSnfrjKDCNWq0T8bJWOfrp080vgGXk6RtXb7iE1Rhxs-5xmDPSH8KIdOy4wMgqbT2hjnlJ44lbvvpUkhCgiJJpniH1oMDK9C4/s1313/Johann_Baptist_Hofner_-_Die_kleine_Sch%25C3%25A4ferin_%25281866%2529_1.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/Johann_Baptist_Hofner_-_Die_kleine_Sch%C3%A4ferin_%281866%29.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Johann_Baptist_Hofner_-_Die_kleine_Sch%C3%A4ferin_(1866).jpg



And then there is Solomon's tale of "a small city with only a few people in it, and a powerful king who . . . surrounded it and built huge siege works against it." But, "there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom." Let's hear it for the wise man! What will he receive for his efforts? Alas, "nobody remembered that poor man." (Ecclesiastes 9:14-15) [71]


There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it.
PHOTO: There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man’s wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.
Picture posted by Chris Yarzab on 01 March 2012 - Wisdom is better than weapons of war,

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZUJp883suN6WI8CdpOD7BhVets6xg3HlFWRtduCSUiiQ35wGl0fyUABk-CWbGJ8YiNFWy1lTbU6HfhcTpWTEiLbHz6H8RcQm7_PQH5Y5jTcr47NY-sx5TUwwh5vD2Q9XTQAUiKRjjoQ/s500/6942016481_03681dbaaf.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/7069/6942016481_03681dbaaf.jpg
https://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisyarzab/6942016481/



One of the things I'm learning as I grow older is not to expect too much from people. It's possible to pour a good deal of effort, energy, and love into a friend or family member and receive nothing but ingratitude for our efforts. It's even possible that others may receive credit for the good that we've done.


One of the things I'm learning as I grow older is not to expect too much from people.
PHOTO: One of the things I'm learning as I grow older is not to expect too much from people. It's possible to pour a good deal of effort, energy, and love into a friend or family member and receive nothing but ingratitude for our efforts. It's even possible that others may receive credit for the good that we've done.
Picture posted by Manos Hatzidakis on Friday 25 June 2021 at 16:51

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFL6jCf_lAaGhItdR5VZuS6pn3-Sa7vBiVzmAcV_tYznml3q6pFVLLg1iwXC2ouHPN8wzogIBVNB5NxQfh_JecjQuWgXD0ErNcHOH2-S1ggES5Q4gNuakWER9AM1uh50-2ulXBbdQeqqM/s1000/acrobat.webp
https://www.liberal.gr/photos/acrobat.jpg
https://www.liberal.gr/market/chrimatistirio-athinon-askiseis-isorropias-stis-900-monades/386921



We should all express appreciation to those who come to our side, but if we expect everyone to recognize what we have done for them, we can be deeply hurt. And we'll soon be asking ourselves: "Is this all the thanks I get?"


We should all express appreciation to those who come to our side, but if we expect everyone to recognize what we have done for them, we can be deeply hurt.
PHOTO: We should all express appreciation to those who come to our side, but if we expect everyone to recognize what we have done for them, we can be deeply hurt. And we'll soon be asking ourselves: "Is this all the thanks I get?"
Picture posted by Doctoralia Internet S.L.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNS4ca4EBlgP6v-MyFhxWed3amwWgVHEtudlCN9rQ57axuoHq5dcE5wKxUPgljtRDnW9-Tdod0_UR9ksEAxw3GbqNYG_HFeukXyinIAb33x33mEhW9l2PU1O5GbkOzF__ZXZ5BNXM4cxM/s2048/pazienti+in+sala+dattesa_1.jpg
https://clinicas.doctoralia.com.mx/hs-fs/hubfs/pazienti%20in%20sala%20dattesa.jpg
https://clinicas.doctoralia.com.mx/blog/canales-aumentar-reservas-centro-medico



It's good, in those times of disappointment, to look into our own motives: Do we have an unholy sense of entitlement, or a passion to be seen and applauded for our efforts? Can we give freely and allow others to take responsibility for their own responses?


It's good, in those times of disappointment, to look into our own motives
PHOTO: It's good, in those times of disappointment, to look into our own motives: Do we have an unholy sense of entitlement, or a passion to be seen and applauded for our efforts? Can we give freely and allow others to take responsibility for their own responses?
Picture posted by FineArtAmerica

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07-dk-iOYMlT_Q-5YM0vRu4E0RpCUjW8BW97EDtQHlPolMikK6x2dieNtfy1V-8TMOr39QrHYTwAC4JkwUPOtsrR8XsE-PxOtPOwH_nua-DKGGSl857R75JJHTr03id3DhjAtkV77p8Q/s900/woman-in-a-vintage-red-dress-holding-a-lantern-lee-avison_11.png
https://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large-5/woman-in-a-vintage-red-dress-holding-a-lantern-lee-avison.jpg
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/woman-in-a-vintage-red-dress-holding-a-lantern-lee-avison.html



There are grateful men and women in this world, and we may hear from them. But the statistics in Jesus' parable of the ten virgins suggest that perhaps only ten percent of those we love and serve will ever thank us. The others will be silent at best. At worst they may be hostile. [72] So if even one has responded, be grateful. And remember - God alone enables us to do good things for others.


There are grateful men and women in this world, and we may hear from them.
PHOTO: There are grateful men and women in this world, and we may hear from them. But the statistics in Jesus' parable of the ten virgins suggest that perhaps only ten percent of those we love and serve will ever thank us. The others will be silent at best. At worst they may be hostile. So if even one has responded, be grateful. And remember - God alone enables us to do good things for others.
Picture posted by  Julia Lyubchenko, wikiHow on 10 June 2021

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgmwC9jekPTGYb6a0kp4g5kairjrdpCVSWORUAmuRV2c0zn3qLyyEKAQw4czbmaL4tOm2pUeuSZPCVnEEIzwGiFtTFKch6MLfx3txe6VtwShj3CVrOtNTA2iy272HqShbXz6gb0TXB3A/s1200/aid4624-v4-1200px-Help-Loved-Ones-with-Histrionic-Personality-Disorder-Step-8.jpg
https://www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/a/a9/Help-Loved-Ones-with-Histrionic-Personality-Disorder-Step-8.jpg/aid4624-v4-1200px-Help-Loved-Ones-with-Histrionic-Personality-Disorder-Step-8.jpg
https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Impossible-People



And if the love of a grateful heart
As a rich reward be given,
Lift thou the love of a grateful heart
To the God of Love in Heaven
. [73]
 
And if the love of a grateful heart
PHOTO: And if the love of a grateful heart
As a rich reward be given,
Lift thou the love of a grateful heart
To the God of Love in Heaven.
 
Ingratitude in others can embitter us if we're not watchful. We must forgive those who fail to thank us - even those who, despite the love we've bestowed upon them, have turned away from us. Jesus said, "Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful . . . " (Luke 6:35) [74]


Jesus said, 'Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.' PHOTO: Jesus said, "Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful . . . " (Luke 6:35)
Picture posted by Bible Verses To Go
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjZpH9x6nktqyu45fRkCQVmJ9rgw0uClwP7zVnbPfEC0mQflxg0Or2nK47UIPzU-mz1rUI00jDDjnBC1BHLNF27nxui8f0vUadeqH03F7krnbsFUvrG4pSsplXikdmAzGEXTvceUNzPw/s1080/luke-6-35-s.webp
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1457/1636/files/luke-6-35-s.jpg?v=1540861875
https://bibleversestogo.com/products/luke-6-35



Our Lord will be "kind" to us when we see Him face to face, for we too have been ungrateful. His "well-done" will ring throughout the universe, and He will praise us before human beings and angels. This may be the only appreciation we receive for the good we've done on earth, but in the end it's the only praise that will matter.


Our Lord will be 'kind' to us when we see Him face to face, for we too have been ungrateful.
PHOTO: Our Lord will be "kind" to us when we see Him face to face, for we too have been ungrateful. His "well-done" will ring throughout the universe, and He will praise us before human beings and angels. This may be the only appreciation we receive for the good we've done on earth, but in the end it's the only praise that will matter.
Picture generated by Pixiz

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NMsTGmUUQI9-UopRLAIYIfgwUkZFZNFkTm1P_0XkhqiuQv2qUHUyBe6WuTESHDqX2YEiJmHXaJddRodMBce2-05GXOvYgPH-unzyToT87uvrk8Zj7zcI8OJCUajlxfkFEhKptUF5or8/s635/b8e81c2d220c2e8ac44a60e8797da75e.jpg
https://es.pixiz.com/frame/difuntos-2793397


And though we cannot do much about those who disregard us, we can do a good deal about ourselves. Sometimes in the busyness of our lives we fail to express appreciation to those who have contributed so much to us - parents, spouses, siblings, friends, teachers, mentors, colleagues, to name only a few. Yet it doesn't take much time or effort to express our gratitude - a brief but heartfelt word of appreciation, a phone call, a text message, an e-mail, or a thank-you note will do.


And though we cannot do much about those who disregard us, we can do a good deal about ourselves.
PHOTO: And though we cannot do much about those who disregard us, we can do a good deal about ourselves. Sometimes in the busyness of our lives we fail to express appreciation to those who have contributed so much to us - parents, spouses, siblings, friends, teachers, mentors, colleagues, to name only a few.
Picture posted by JayeLynn on 19 July 2008

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYN9M5nZLJWUf92IePKCppDXlYfKK0v92aqO84W83wdDgN22fXGTONZvC7INloBKEXC0kdvTBcTB08Y_T2izkRUG5nC5yY-zjHNXoUG1QjC60ithcPMcuaZGSe4oQL7jIbRIuHSYCbikc/s784/2872834252_13c3f402e4_c_1.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/3206/2872834252_13c3f402e4_c.jpg
https://www.flickr.com/photos/millsphoto/2872834252/



Speaking of which, Carolyn and I have often marveled at our culture's indifference to thank-you notes. "I don't write little thank-you notes," a man said recently in our hearing. We could only stare in amazement. Is this refinement and courtesy so frivolous (unimportant) that it's now beneath us?

"Sending thank-you notes has become a lost art," mourns Mary Mitchell, a syndicated columnist who writes under the name of Ms. Demeanor. "A grateful attitude is a tremendous life skill, and an efficient and inexpensive way to set ourselves apart in the work force and in our adult lives . . . The habit of manners comes from inside - it's an attitude based on respecting other people."


A grateful attitude is a tremendous life skill, and an efficient and inexpensive way to set ourselves apart in the work force and in our adult lives.
PHOTO: "A grateful attitude is a tremendous life skill, and an efficient and inexpensive way to set ourselves apart in the work force and in our adult lives . . . The habit of manners comes from inside - it's an attitude based on respecting other people."
Picture is posted by ☀🌸LadyNoire77🌸☀@LadyNoire78 on 11 June 2018 at 08:33 am
Picture generated by Pixiz

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jlz2Q6QhscTU8mVOXkpK1cIUU1h2MZeuaLu-WVjjA1jbC1BRO-MzMJCbACL-K__jhrEFJD4IzjFt5HnEiePEzK2OwS5Ql0cajGV61Vq-5-1dkwq2OLx-sfnxmNUdJrHGP0-Ux-sNYfE/s641/125a8e98496be94d166d8a5ac60e9846.jpg


Appreciation is an attitude based on respect for other people, even the unkind and ungrateful. But primarily it is an attitude based on love, for "love has good manners." (1 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV) [75] And the habit of thankfulness must come from inside, for gratitude is the work of God's Holy Spirit. Apart from His grace, we would all be ungrateful wretches.


Appreciation is an attitude based on respect for other people, even the unkind and ungrateful.
PHOTO: Appreciation is an attitude based on respect for other people, even the unkind and ungrateful. But primarily it is an attitude based on love, for "love has good manners." (1 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV) And the habit of thankfulness must come from inside, for gratitude is the work of God's Holy Spirit. Apart from His grace, we would all be ungrateful wretches.
Picture posted by Billy Baker, Globe staff on 23 March 2017 at 10:00 pm

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAIJjf_R1P_1Fb5czuqk_xHw4fRidUMPFQJ9aTKOz_pLfHTdpT2Ff4JVQobjK5hiINsMMyBG0a_Dq8NkW5onVYuSh4kNzU5Vk-OM66J9swXjEKDfo3aGsS5npSNsB53wQ51wgmgyIExY/s2048/GGCVVMAOMAI6PESWQPBTLARGJA.jpg
https://arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-bostonglobe.s3.amazonaws.com/public/GGCVVMAOMAI6PESWQPBTLARGJA.jpg
https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/travel/2017/03/23/ticket-entitles-recline-and-doing-doesn-make-entitled-person/y9NmZOAfncEWMOioWXryrN/story.html



Dear Lord
PHOTO: "Dear Lord, we learn that we may feel that we deserve some entitlement because of our accomplishments.

The Bible has God's word to Zechariah about a shepherd who dedicated himself to the good of his people, who encouraged peace, prosperity, and brought tranquility and harmony to his flock. He, however, far from being appreciated, was despised and rejected. Those who discarded him set his price at thirty pieces of silver, the value of a slave.

And then there is Solomon's tale of ‘a small city with only a few people in it, and a powerful king who . . . surrounded it and built huge siege works against it.’ But, ‘there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. nobody remembered that poor man.’

Help us not to expect too much from people. It's possible to pour a good deal of effort, energy, and love into a friend or family member and receive nothing but ingratitude for our efforts. It's even possible that others may receive credit for the good that we've done.

Lord, we pray that we should all express appreciation to those who come to our side. Help us to realise that if we expect everyone to recognize what we have done for them, we can be deeply hurt.

We pray that in those times of disappointment, to look into our own motives: Do we have an unholy sense of entitlement, or a passion to be seen and applauded for our efforts? Can we give freely and allow others to take responsibility for their own responses?

We learn that there are grateful men and women in this world, and we may hear from them. But the statistics in Jesus' parable of the ten virgins suggest that perhaps only ten percent of those we love and serve will ever thank us. The others will be silent at best. At worst they may be hostile.

Help us to be grateful if even one has responded. May we remember - God alone enables us to do good things for others.

We pray that ingratitude in others do not embitter us, but to forgive those who fail to thank us - even those who, despite the love we've bestowed upon them, have turned away from us. Help us to learn from Jesus who said, ‘Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.’

Help us to realise that we too have been ungrateful. And yet He will praise us before human beings and angels. Although this may be the only appreciation we receive for the good we've done on earth, but in the end it's the only praise that will matter.

Help us to express appreciation to those who have contributed so much to us - parents, spouses, siblings, friends, teachers, mentors, colleagues, to name only a few.

We learn that appreciation is an attitude based on respect for other people, even the unkind and ungrateful. But primarily it is an attitude based on love, for ‘love has good manners.’ And the habit of thankfulness must come from inside, for gratitude is the work of God's Holy Spirit. Apart from His grace, we would all be ungrateful wretches.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!
"
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Reflection - Number Our Days - Is This All The Thanks I Get?
Source (book): "Teach Us to Number Our Days", Chapter 15, "Is This All The Thanks I Get?", Page 76.
By David Roper, Pastor, and regular and popular writer for Our Daily Bread.




"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, ©
2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html
 


"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, ©
2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020

https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
 

"Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html
 

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html
 


Reference
[1] From "Teach Us to Number Our Days", Copyright © 2008 by David Roper, ISBN 978-981-11-7184-0, Chapter 15, "Is This All The Thanks I Get?", Page 76-81.

[70] Zechariah 11:7-13

[71] Ecclesiastes 9:14-15

[72] A social worker I know commented recently that, in his opinion, the insatiable demands of those who feel "entitled" and their bitter resentment when their demands are not met, more than any other cause, produce care-giver burnout - the fatigue and depression that plague so many of his colleagues.

[73] George MacDonald, "Lesson for a Child," in A Hidden Life and Other Poems.

[74] Luke 6:35, emphasis added

[75] 1 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV: "Does not behave rudely." The verb aschemonei means to be "unmannerly." See Lidell and Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon (Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1969).


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