In the late 19th century and early 20th century, Rudyard Kipling was England’s most popular writer.  The news got out that his publishers paid him $1 for each word that he wrote and published.  Some Cambridge students heard about this and sent him $2 with a note that said, “Please send us two of your very best words.”  Kipling sent a note back with two words, “thank you.”These really are two of the most powerful words.  Can you today, in the midst of your present circumstances say, “Thank you, God, for another day?”  “Thank you God, for my life.”One of the most interesting stories in the Bible is that of a man named Job.  When we first meet him in the Bible, he is a fabulously wealthy and successful man with a large, loving family.  He enjoyed the respect of his peers and his family.  Most of us would say – Job was a man truly blessed by God.In this story, the Bible tells us that Satan saw Job as a fair weather friend.  He challenged God to a contest and Job was going to be the guinea pig.  Satan suggested that the only reason Job served and loved God was because of the blessings.  He claimed that if God allowed the blessings to be taken away that Job would reveal his true heart and curse God.God allowed Satan to test Job, but told him not to touch the man himself.  With the ground rules in place, the test of Job’s lifetime began.  Four times in one day Job heard bad news.•Oxen and servants were gone•Sheep and servants were gone•Camels and servants were gone•All of this children – seven sons and three daughters – died in a freak accident of nature.Job lost his entire fortune (his business) and his ten children all in one afternoon.  We cannot imagine this.But then Job did something totally weird by today’s standards.  The bible says in Job 1:20 – “At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head.  Then he fell to the ground in worship.”I don’t find the first two things Job did as all that odd.  It was the custom in Job’s day to show grief like this, and Job was no different.What strikes me as odd is his attitude.  He fell to the ground, not in an attitude of anger or bitterness or even hatred, but of worship.  Doesn’t that seem like an odd response to the loss of everything you had worked a lifetime to accumulate?  But that’s what he did – he bowed low and worshipped God.Then Job says something that God knew and Satan was eager to find out.  In Job 1:21-22, Job says, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart.   The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."  In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.”I don’t want you to miss the cry of Job’s heart.  His confession in the midst of loss proved Satan to be what he has always been: a liar.  Job actually loved God!  He loved God for who he is and not just for what he gave.Job knew that everything he had was on loan from God.  He never adopted an owner’s mentality.  He knew that the gifts of God, could never take the place of God.Job suffered through his loss – he mourned his family, but he knew he was loved by God and that God was still in control.  What a difference it makes when you and I can remain grateful even during the hard times. Gratitude focuses our attention on what we do have, instead of what we don't have. Being thankful makes a major impact on our attitude, or conversation, and our relationships.Today’s Challenge: Determine today that no matter what is happing around you that you will be grateful. Express your thanks to God, sing songs of worship, let someone know you are thankful. It will change your entire day.

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