My mom in the US had a back surgery not too long ago and within less than 10 days, she was back on her feet walking. That was a miracle. I was so grateful for her quick recovery that I decided to go to a place where I could get together with other people and celebrate the good of the Lord. One of such places is church. The message on that Sunday was about gratitude. I found it appropriate as it was during thanksgiving weekend. 
The preacher remarked that America is the only country in the world where people punch one another in the face to buy discounted items from stores (Black Friday), just the following day after giving thanks and celebrating that they have all they need on Thanksgiving Day.
Most people are thankful but not grateful. A state of gratitude is experienced from the inside out, and thankfulness is caused by external factors. For example: A husband who gives a great gift or special treat to his wife on their wedding anniversary. The wife will most likely be thankful for the present (external), but not necessarily grateful for the additional year of marriage experience (internal).
The preacher stated: “Feeling grateful is a response to external factors, but being grateful is a choice of faith.” One can feel grateful or be thankful without being grateful. Feelings stimulated by outside circumstances can only be sustained as long as those external circumstances are maintained. In the middle of your wants, find the ability to “be grateful.” Gratitude is when you realize that all you have is all you need, at this very moment. It does not mean you will not receive more or you can’t use more. It just means even without more, you can still rise to be the best you can be, emotionally, psychologically and physically.
Today is a gift, are you grateful for it or just thankful?
Day 10 of 21: 100 words per day for 21 days. 319 words.