Obedience and Surrender

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From the Editor

Gratitude

By Arlene Allen

I love the story Jesus told about the Good Samaritan—the man who helped the unfortunate man who had been beaten by robbers and left in the ditch to die. The holier-than-thou priest and condescending Levite passed by on the other side of the road so they didn’t have to deal with the beaten man.

However, the Samaritan—a man of little religious background—was the one who cared enough to give the bleeding man assistance.

I remember a story about a dog whose owners could not understand why he was not eating the food set out for him. He would take the bones or anything else he could hold in his mouth and disappear into the bushes.

At first the dog’s master thought he was burying the food to eat later, or was eating it where he couldn’t be seen. But when the dog continued behaving in this manner, the owner followed him to see what was happening. To his amazement, the dog had been carrying food to another dog trapped in a barbed wire fence. He was taking his own food to a comrade in distress.

Someone made the remark that the dog’s act was “almost human.” I’m afraid not enough human beings are being as kind.

Why did the dog do such a thing? He didn’t do it for applause, or compensation. He did it because of the instinct God put within him.

God is pleased with people who share their blessings with others, who are compassionate toward the unfortunate, and are willing to do without so others may have a chance.

This time of year inspires me to count my blessings. Perhaps you can include someone who is less fortunate than you in your Thanksgiving celebrations.

Visit us often this month to read inspirational articles on possessing an attitude of gratitude—not only in November, but every day we are blessed to live. Matthew 5:7 states, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”