Gratitude

Colossians 4:2,5,6 “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
As Paul is closing out his letter to the Colossian Church he is reminding them and us about our prayer life. We are to be watchful and thankful. We are to be alert, vigilant and attentive to the world around us. We are to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. We are to be thankful for even the smallest blessing sent our way. It seems as if Paul knew we all have a tendency to grow selfish and unmindful of the Lord’s blessings in our lives. We sometimes take things for granted. We get caught up in asking for things we forget to tell the Lord thank you.
As we are praying we are to be not only aware of our adversary but we need to watchful for opportunities to give thanks. When we are praying for a sick loved one or friend shouldn’t we also give thanks that one is still with us and was sent into our lives? When we lose a love one due to illness are we thankful that one is not longer hurting, knows the Lord and grateful their life touched ours? As we are praying for revival in our country, our church our city shouldn’t we also thank God for His promise to never leave us nor forsake us? As we are going through trials and difficulties do we see the value in the lessons we are learning and are we thankful for that lesson? Is there a reason to be grateful, even in the midst of a crisis? There is if we will be open and look.
Paul is also reminding us about our basic obligations as a Christian. Be careful as you pray today, and as you pray, be careful to give thanks to God for His abundant mercies and marvelous promises. We are to be aware of those who do not know Jesus and be watchful for opportunities to share the gospel with them. In every area of our lives we have reason to be grateful. In sorrows, in needs and in trials there is always something we can be grateful for. Do we look for that or are we too caught up in the moment to see and be thankful?