The gratitude journal I started a couple of years ago has 3,465 entries.
That’s not because I’m great; it’s because God is great and, by His grace and with His help, I can recognize the blessings that surround me.
There are days when it’s harder to think of gifts to list, when the problems may seem greater than the blessings. But that’s when I need the list most, to bring my focus back to where it should be.
While maintaining this journal isn’t on my goal list like it was last year, I’m still adding to it nearly every day. It’s a practical way to highlight God’s grace.
While I don’t list this many items every day, I wanted to share just a sample of entries from yesterday of things for which I’m thankful.
- sweet texts from my husband who’s out of town
- a Christian hairstylist with whom I can talk about God and His Word
- remembering to be thankful even when I slopped a big blotch of coconut oil on a favorite jacket, which will now be reduced to “around-the-house” wear
- sharing Sweet Frog frozen yogurt with my younger daughter, using a gift card she won in Awana
- a piano book we’d ordered for my older daughter arriving in near-record time
- an encouraging phone conversation with my mom
- safety while driving on a drizzly day
- a young lady coming forward in last night’s revival service and the opportunity to share with her the gospel and hear her pray for salvation
Eight gifts from an ordinary day, made extraordinary because of His grace.
What’s on your gratitude list today?
Nikki says
January 14, 2015 at 2:27 pmI'm thankful for healthy children, that we get to stay home on this cold day, for our CC group, and a husband who's trying to come home earlier.
I love the idea of keeping a gratitude journal. Maybe I should start one.
Tracey Brewer says
January 14, 2015 at 3:14 pmMine's become almost like a diary, too; I can look back through it and reflect on all that God's brought to pass in our lives.
CE Watson says
January 14, 2015 at 8:30 pmTracey, thanks for the reminder about keeping a gratitude journal! I remember my Aunt sharing with me her prayer journal in which she would write down the things people would ask her to pray about. She made it a priority to pray over that list and then when the prayer was answered, she would write beside the prayer request the date and the answer to the prayer. She told me that it was a great faith builder. I can see how your gratitude journal would be a great faith builder, too! And keep you focused on God's goodness, which I personally need to be reminded of when things aren't going well! Thanks for sharing this! Chris
aurie good says
January 17, 2015 at 12:34 amWhat a great list! I started a thankful list at least 2 years ago, but I stopped when the days got crazy. Thanks for the reminder that I should get started again.
Sues says
January 18, 2015 at 11:25 pmSo wonderful!
Today, I'm thankful for singing harmonies, JB making quinoa pizza bites & getting me a Sbux chai, that Annelise's is at a friend's house today whose family I trust, that we have technology, & for warm sunshine. 🙂