TWELVE BASKETS FULL MENTALITY

“I will praise thee, O LORD, with my WHOLE HEART”
(Psalm 9:1).

Our God is an extravagant God. He writes extravagant words. Nothing in the Bible is normal. John 10:10 tells us that Jesus not only came to give us life, but “abundant life.” He not only gives us peace, but peace that “passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). He not only gives us joy, but “joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8).

Colossians 2:6 tells us that we are not only to be thankful, but to be “abounding in thanksgiving.” Some translations say: “overflowing in gratitude.”

What does it mean to abound? When we investigate the original Greek, we find even more extravagant adjectives. The word abound is perisseuo. It means “to superabound, to be excessive, abundant, exceed, over and above.” The Bible uses the same word in John chapter six where Jesus fed the five thousand men, plus others.

Jesus not only fed the people, He fed them to overflowing. When they were all “filled” Jesus asked them to gather all that was left over, and they filled up twelve baskets full that “remained over and above” that which they had eaten (John 6:13). The words “over and above” are perisseuo, the same word for “overflowing in thankfulness.”

I believe we need to come into the TWELVE BASKETS FULL attitude about thanksgiving, don’t you? We all say “thank you” when someone gives us something or does something for us, but I believe we need to go “over and above” this normality.

How many extra baskets full do you have over? Perhaps one basket full? You may get excessive sometimes. But not too much. You don’t want people to think you are “over the top.” Hey, that’s what you are meant to be! You are never meant to be average, normal, or boring. Especially when it comes to being thankful.

What about two baskets full over? How many times do you thank your husband each day? Do you thank him profusely for even the little things he does for you? Or do you take him for granted? Do you thank your children when they do their chores or take them for granted too?

What about three baskets full over and above? Appreciation and gratitude pour from your heart. You don’t have an entitlement mentality. You know that none of us deserve anything, and therefore you are grateful for every little blessing in life.

What about four baskets full over and above the norm? How our hearts should be filled with thankfulness to God for all His blessings, especially for His great salvation. I cannot refrain from thanking Him every day for His sacrifice upon the cross for me. Our hearts should well up with thankfulness continually throughout the day for all the wonderful blessings God pours upon us. Often, we don’t see them because of our attitude of ingratitude. That’s why we must push into the OVER AND ABOVE TWELVE BASKETS FULL attitude.

What about five baskets full over and above? Are you becoming excessive? Is it becoming normal for you to say, “Thank you soooooo much!” A few years ago, a wonderful missionary family stayed in our home. They also loved fellowshipping with the Johnsons next door (Howard and Evangeline’s family). They noticed how their children were very thankful about everything. They didn’t say “Thank you” in a monotonous voice, but “Oh, tha-a-a-a-a-a-nk you soooooo much.” Our visiting family loved it and they and their children got into the habit also. When they waved goodbye to us, they all put their heads out the window cried out: “Tha-a-a-a-a-a-nk you soooooo MUCH!” You can never be too exuberantly thankful!

The TWELVE BASKETS FULL attitude can revolutionize your marriage.

The TWELVE BASKETS FULL attitude can revolutionize your family life. Just imagine everyone in the home with this mentality. Outdoing one another with thankfulness. What bliss to live in an environment of thankfulness, blessing, appreciation, and gratitude. It changes everything. 

This OVER AND ABOVE TWELVE BASKETS FULL attitude can change the lives of everyone we meet, and ultimately society.

May you have a wonderful and twelve baskets full Thanksgiving. And keep it going for the rest of the year.

PRAYER:

“Dear Father, I have so much for which to be thankful. Save me from ever being ungrateful. I want to praise You with my whole heart. I want to bless my husband with my whole heart. I want to have a thankful attitude toward my children with my whole heart. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

I’m living the twelve baskets full life!