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Who Said It
Bob Russell

Bob is senior minister of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky, a mega-congregation. Bob intended to become a basketball coach, but during his high-school senior year changed his goal to pastoral ministry. He became pastor of the then 120-member Southeast Christian when he was just 22, and has remained there for more than 35 years. Of course, Bob is an avid U. of Louisville basketball fan.

What He Said
From Griping to Grateful

Most of us are not as thankful as we should be because we compare ourselves with those who have more.

When our boys were younger, we developed a Christmas tradition that taught us something about gratitude. We would buy presents for a needy family and deliver the gifts to them on Christmas Eve. We weren't wealthy by most standards, but Christmas Eve was about the only time my young sons were exposed to people who lived in a crowded trailer park or a dingy downtown apartment.

On the ride home, after several minutes of silence, the boys would begin asking questions about the family we'd visited. "Does the father have a job?" "Do they go to church anywhere?" "Did you see the picture of Jesus on the wall?" "Dad, what was it like when you were growing up?"

I knew by their questions that they were beginning to understand-not everyone has it as good as we do. For the next several days my sons would exhibit much more gratitude.

Adapted from Jesus, Lord of Your Personality (Howard, 2002) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Lord, incline my heart to gratefulness on down days as well as up days.

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