DESTINY CALL TO ACTION :::

           :::  WORLD GRATiTUDE DAY - September 21st 

                  by Rev. Linda J. Ivey, MSW & Founder of YDH

Were you aware that in the month of September, there is a day set aside to celebrate gratitude. A day to reflect on all the blessings God has given you, 

your family, and friends. However, we should celebrate gratitude 24/7 - 365. 

If you're like most of us, God has given you income to cover your bills, and a

family that loves and respects you. He has given you friends and colleagues

who are supportive of you. Hopefully, you have taken advantage and are

grateful for the church family He has provided for you.

You may ask, how do I know which I should be grateful for, which came from

God, or which came from my own efforts, or which came from the devil trying

to imitate God? In answer to the first part of the question, be grateful for

everything because it all comes from God. Your desires to buy things or to

pursue certain opportunities all come from God. God is omniscient, all knowing,

and He knew the desires of your heart before you formed them into thoughts.

All He asks is that we wait on Him for an answer of yes (it's time), no (this is not

for you), or wait (it's not time).

In answer to the second part of the question, God softened the hearts of others

to grant you favor when you asked for or bought anything. In a business

transaction be grateful because God had them lower the price, or overlook your

low credit score, or approve your request for time off. Be grateful because when

you made a mistake, God told them to forgive you and to give you another

chance.

Be grateful that God's gifts are "yea" and "amen" and aren't accompanied by

sorrow and negativity. That toxic man or woman was not sent by God. That 

fraudulent business deal was not approved by God. They were tricks of the

enemy. When we wait on the Lord for His approval, He gives us the desires of

our heart.

Finally, know that the Lord loves and cares for us and He appreciates when we

show Him that we are grateful.

...by Ashanti Raysor

                     :::  THE VIRTUE OF GRATITUDE  :::

In a world that constantly tells us to want more, achieve more, and become more, gratitude can feel almost revolutionary. We are surrounded by reminders of what we do not have—more money, a better career, a bigger home, more recognition, etc.

Somewhere along the way, we can become so focused on reaching the next destination that we forget to appreciate where we are standing. Gratitude is a reflection of our faith, our character, and the way we choose to move through the world. It teaches us humility by reminding us that not everything we have was accomplished alone, and that behind many of our blessings are people, opportunities, circumstances, and moments of grace that we did not create ourselves.

Gratitude is not about pretending that life is perfect. It is not ignoring pain, disappointment, injustice, or the things we still hope to change. That distinction matters.

Gratitude does not come without faith. Faith reminds us that not every blessing arrives on our timeline, and sometimes the waiting, the correction, and even the closed doors are part of our growth. To live with gratitude is therefore not to ignore life’s difficulties, but to remain grounded through them—to be humble when we succeed, gracious when we are disappointed, and intentional about treating others with dignity.

We often wait for something extraordinary before we allow ourselves to be grateful. Gratitude brings us back to our own lives. It reminds us that someone else’s blessing does not diminish ours. Someone else’s success does not mean we are failing.

And perhaps most importantly, gratitude should not only be something we feel—it should be something we express. Tell people you appreciate them while they are here. Thank the person who helped you when they did not have to. Acknowledge the friend who consistently checks on you. Appreciate the parent, mentor, teacher, coworker, sibling, neighbor, or stranger who made a difference in your life. Sometimes we assume people know how we feel, but there is power in hearing the words.

So take a moment to look around. Notice what you have, notice who you have, and notice how far you’ve come. Be grateful—not because life is perfect, but because life is still happening, and there is still something worth being thankful for.