How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall?

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Philippians 4:11, 12 NIV)

If you skipped over the scripture above, go back.  Read it.  Ponder it for a minute or two.  Did you notice a word used twice?  "Learned."  Paul had to learn how to be content whether in plenty or in need.  It wasn't something that came naturally.  There is a secret to it... and Paul learned that secret.  The "secret" really isn't a secret at all.  It's just that we don't take the time in our busy lives to practice it... gratitude.  That is the big secret.

I'm sure you heard the one about the tourist in New York City that asked someone on the street, "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?"  The answer:  "Practice, practice, practice!"  Practice is how we learn just about anything.  Practice gives us experience.  Every employment application asks us to list our experience.

How much experience do you have using that "secret of contentment"... gratitude?  Do you want to be more content?  Do you want to be able to take joy in your life as it is right now?  Practice, practice, practice!  Get out a pen and a little notebook or open your Notes app on your phone.  Carry it around with you all day and list everything you can think of to be thankful for... the sunrise, the person who let you in front of her in traffic, the fact that your office computer didn't crash when you turned it on, your job, your coworkers, coffee breaks, a delicious lunch.... and on and on and on until the sunset and your warm home and comfortable bed.

With practice, practice, practice, you will one day even be able to be grateful for the hard things, knowing that even those come from the hand of God who knows the end of every story... who knows the good that comes from the heartache... who knows that there is beauty even in death, for it means the end of pain.

I hope to one day get to the Carnegie Hall of gratitude.  I plan to practice, practice, practice.

Father,
Make me grateful even for the hard things in life, for your grace abounds even in these.  Amen.