Athletes of all levels feel a sense of entitlement. Since leaving coaching, I have noticed a lack of daily gratefulness in athletes. I see managers serve water to athletes who turn around and drop the bottles on the ground instead of handing it back to the manager standing right there! I see Little League players disregard instructions from coaches and umpires because they know better. What has happened to the attitude of gratitude—of having a thankful heart for those who serve or care enough to help?

 

In Psalm 136, the author makes a very clear point. It states 26 times that we should give thanks to the Lord. The trouble is that we treat the Lord the same as some athletes treat those who try to help them. The Lord will send someone to encourage us, and we ignore their kind words. The Lord will bless us with an abundance of things, and yet we complain that we have too much stuff and clutter in our lives. All we have to do is look around. What is there not to be grateful for?

 

Next time we see someone who is less than grateful, let’s remind them of all we should be thankful for. The only thing we are entitled to do is give thanks to the Lord daily. Without His faithfulness we would be lost forever. It may sound like I’m bitter. Not at all! I’ve realized that I need to be thankful for what God has done for me. Thank You, Lord!