I have worked a lot of crazy jobs.
I’ve stacked books in a library. 
I’ve been drenched in water and covered in chili as a dish-washer. 
I’ve worked in a coffee shop — but not the cool kind. This shop appeared to be exclusively for middle-aged moms. 
And I have been a counselor at a day camp. This experience taught me so much about people and the way they work. Primarily, I learned that kids are obnoxious. 

One day, after wrangling the kids into the cafeteria, I sat down to enjoy my one of my favorite meals: tacos from a truck. Miraculously, my little amigos were all sitting down quietly with their lunch boxes. There was no screaming. No clapping and singing about Mary Mack. Just the sound of 5-10 year olds eating and sniffling. This peaceful moment was interrupted by a blood-curdling scream from across the room. 
 
I dropped my taco and ran over to investigate. “What is going on?” The child, let’s call him Carl, stuttered through his tears, “I don’t have a hot pocket.” Assuming someone stole it, I started asking around. I quickly learned that he wasn’t supposed to have a hot pocket. Carl was upset because his friend across the table had one and he didn’t. His lunch honestly looked very good — a balanced meal his parents clearly packed with care. His sandwich even had the crust cut off.

The other kid’s dad clearly just dropped a frozen hot pocket into a grocery bag. 

Carl didn’t see it that way though. He didn’t have a hot pocket like his buddy, so he threw a fit and made a scene. He didn’t realize that the lunch in front of him was far superior to a lukewarm hot pocket with 700 mg of sodium. His obsession with what he didn’t have was a distraction to what he did. 

This is a pivotal life principle. If you aren’t thankful for what you do have, you’ll always want what you don’t. 

Let’s travel back in time to a year into Jesus’ ministry. At this point, Jesus had healed thousands of people, raised people from the dead, and had become a small-scale celebrity throughout Judea. However, look at what happens in the gospel of Matthew. 

READ: MATTHEW 13:53-58
When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.” And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

Jesus was in his hometown. He should have been welcomed as a hero. There should have been lines of people ready to experience his power and listen to his wisdom. The people in his own hometown did not get to receive all Jesus had to offer because they were blind to who He really was. 
God in flesh was right there — and they missed it.

Don’t be blind to your blessings. 
And here’s the kicker — your blessings are often right in front of you. 

I get it. School seems boring. However, over 40% of high-school-age youth don’t get to go to school. This prevents them from gaining an education, rising to a place of influence, and getting out of the poverty cycle. What a blessing we have that we get to go to school. 

You probably just read that scripture in Matthew on a screen. You have instant access to the word of God through the internet and the YouVersion Bible App. However, in the middle ages a Bible would cost a whole year’s salary. They were so expensive that only colleges had them. Most churches didn’t even have a copy. What a blessing we have in our accessibility to the Bible. 

Gratitude will change your entire attitude. 
Don’t be blind. Take a good, hard look around you. Take an honest inventory of all the blessings you have in your life. You will see that the list is nearly endless. If we aren’t thankful, then we aren’t paying attention. 

It’s not happy people who are thankful. It’s thankful people who are happy. 

TALK IT OUT 
Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stuff.
Q1: What was your favorite school lunch as a kid? 
Q2: Tell a story of a time you saw a kid (or even an adult) have a temper tantrum. What caused it?  What did they do? 
Q3: Have you ever met a person who never seems to be thankful. How does being around them make you feel? 
Q4: What did you find interesting about the way Jesus was received in His hometown? What happened because of their lack of faith. 
Q5: Go around the group and list some blessings you have. Think of the details, not just the obvious stuff. 
Q6: What can you do today to help yourself and your circle experience happiness & embrace gratitude this week? 

READING PLAN FOR “THE SECRET TO A HAPPY LIFE”
READ THESE PASSAGES IN ORDER EVERY DAY FOR THE NEXT TEN DAYS
John 3:16-17
Luke 7:36-50 
Ephesians 2:1-10 
Titus 2:11-14 
Psalm 105:1-3
Hebrews 4:14-16 
James 1:2-4 
Romans 8:26-30 
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 
Psalm 34:1-3 

Do the following with each passage: 
ASK – God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down, inviting God to be present. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you today.

READ – the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you, reading them a second time if necessary.

REFLECT – on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own life and experiences?

RESPOND – to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you’ve uncovered.