Ungrateful?

  
   Last night, I was sitting in my National Government class & we were looking at different news websites from different countries. There were pictures of places & cars being blown up, and later that night I was talking to God & I was like "Dad, we are so ungrateful." There are people out there being killed or harassed because of who they are everyday. Children are being taken away from their parents & forced into sex slavery. Millions of innocent people are living in fear every single day, but we are free & yet we complain the most!
   Now with that being said, I want you to really examine your life & ask yourself: "Is my life really that bad?" Seriously, we complain about any & every thing! My hair isn't right, my mom won't let me go to this party, or I can't get those new pair of Jordan's or heels because I already have too many. Now, I'm not saying that I'm not guilty because I am. I complain sometimes, but just seeing pictures made me want to be more appreciative of the blessings that I do have. I know that someone would literally do anything to have the life you & I have.
   So, I challenge myself & you to be grateful today. Don't complain, just thank God. He didn't have to wake you up this morning, provide food & clean water for you, place a roof over your head. God has been so good to us! He's been more than good! Quit complaining because your clothes aren't what's "in" & be thankful because a child in Africa is not wearing any clothes at this moment! We just gotta be more grateful. We have to show God that we appreciate every thing that we have, the little and the big. How do we expect Him to bless us with more when we don't even appreciate the things that we have.
   This morning, I read my devotion and it was similar to this. It mentioned Phillipians 4:6 which says, "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." Don't complain about what you don't have, thank God for what you do have. Don't worry about everything that's going wrong, but thank God for everything that is going right in your life.
   So let's pray: Father God in the name of Jesus, forgive us. Father, forgive for so ungrateful. Father, we complain about any & everything & we never take the time out to realize that we are extremely blessed! Lord, thank you for keeping us all the days of our lives. Thank you for shielding us & protecting us from every plan of the enemy. Thank you for loving us so much that you sent your only son to die for us! God, give us a clean & grateful heart! We thank you Lord for changing us. Thank you for blessing us beyond measure. We love you, Dad. In Jesus name. Amen.

-Jamilya