Luke 1: 46 Mary responded,“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. 47  How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! 48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. 49 For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. 50 He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him.

I was reading this today.. and I thought... now this is a thankful person... if we really think about it... what was given to her as a promise and purpose was really not a great thing in the eyes of man... we can think it was all day long but she would have had to have been shamed and humiliated for being pregnant before marriage.. the husband to be is ready to put her away because he imagines she has slept with someone else... she actually had the baby Jesus while still engaged... not married... so at this time.. this was really a big deal.. (in truth.. this is still a big deal even though nothing compared to the past... there is still shame attached to having a child without marriage.. yet somehow not so much about pre-marital sex.. go figure..) all through Jesus life his legitimacy was questioned... 

yet despite how people were looking at her.. despite the rejection and humiliation.. she was still able to praise God for choosing her... she clearly had a spirit of gratitude in general.. I am sure that is something God wishes we all had....