Attitude of Gratitude
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
From a recent ministry newsletter from Joni and Friends:
Our Wheels for the World team met Liu (from the village of Tianjin, China) during our recent wheelchair and Bible distribution in her city. With twisted paralyzed legs, she had to be carried by her father to the distribution — although Liu was doll-like and darling in her pink sweater and embroidered socks, her precious little face never cracked a smile. She seemed to realize this was a serious day… a day in which her life would change. As we began looking for the perfect pediatric wheelchair for tiny Liu, her father (with the help of a translator) shared that he and his wife have carried Liu since her birth. “But she is very smart,” he smiled, “she loves to learn.” When our physical therapist gave him a Mandarin copy of the Joni book, he exclaimed, “My wife loves Jesus!” Then he added quietly, so as not to be overheard, “She has one Bible in her family. She read it to Liu.”
When we lifted little Liu into her new beautifully- equipped pediatric chair, she still didn’t smile, but lowered her eyes in a humble thank you. We offered Liu a pair of tiny, lace-trimmed pink socks from a bag of small gifts for children. Liu Yao shook her head and said in a simple and straight-forward way, “No thank you. I have a pair of socks — please give them to someone who does not have any.” This child’s attitude of quiet gratitude touched the entire Wheels for the World team. We tried to offer her a tiny toy and a barrette, but she would only take one of the gifts… not more. “This is enough,” she said in a small voice. It was clear she understood that she already had enough.. .while many others in her village had nothing. When we asked Liu what she will do now that she had a beautiful new wheelchair, she said softly but firmly (without taking cues from anyone), “I will go to school so that I can learn. I will work hard so that I can share all the love that has been given to me.”
The family left our Wheels for the World distribution satisfied and happy. They had embraced the love of Jesus… and they were going home to share that love with others. They had found God’s attitude of gratitude.
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