Grateful

Since reading Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts earlier this year, I've tried to be more intentional about incorporating gratitude into my day.  I've mentioned keeping a journal in which I record at least five things I'm thankful for each morning.  This practice has caused me to focus on what we tend to think of as "little" gifts, the small moments that so quickly pass us by if we're not watching for them.

There are the physical blessings of good health, the financial provision that meets our needs and allows us to give to others, the blessings of family and friends, and the spiritual blessings, beginning with salvation and expanding to so much more.

I'm finding that making gratitude a daily practice gives me a proper perspective and helps me spend time meditating on answered prayer.

I want to continue this "journaling thankfulness" next year.  This diary of God's constant and continuing goodness in our lives causes me to look for the good for which I can be thankful.  I'm ashamed to say that there are mornings when it takes longer than it should for me to think of five things to write down.  In that case, I know I need to re-focus my mind and count my blessings.

Beyond cultivating my own grateful spirit, I want to help our children learn to be thankful. Rehearsing God's blessings aloud and often - and in every situation - seems to be a good place to start.  Moving it from words that we speak in praise to God and down into their hearts to produce a thankful spirit is something for which I really want to strive.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones!  With Paul, in Philippians 1:3, I can say, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you."

For all of us, may this season of giving thanks last well past a day and into the weeks and months to come!