Thanksgiving Day is quickly approaching. But, thanksgiving should be more than something we focus on for one day a year. It was really eye opening to me the day I stumbled upon Deuteronomy 28:47,(Amplified Bible, Classic Edition), in my Bible reading. In this verse we find out that one of the reasons that God's people were living a less than life was "Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joyfulness of mind and heart in gratitude for the abundance of all with which He had blessed you." Gratitude is important to God and it's life changing for us. Ann Voskamp, author of the book One Thousand Gifts, writes, "Give thanks if you are joyful" is, in reality: "to be joyful, give thanks." Did you notice in that verse in Deuteronomy how, to God, both our joyfulness and our gratitude are not only important, but connected?
So, how do we become a more grateful, thankful person? How do we make thanksgiving a lifestyle? I've found that one simple habit has been life changing for me in making me a more thankful person. Before Ann Voskamp wrote her book she blogged about her habit of gratitude journaling, of writing down at least three things that she was grateful for each day. She encouraged her blog readers to do the same, and then once a week we would write blog posts filled with our weekly gratitudes and link it up on her website. I began gratitude journaling, due to her encouragement, in 2009 and have been writing down at least three things I am grateful for every day since. I've now journaled well over ten thousand things I am grateful for in the subsequent years. This simple practice has helped me to see, in the hardest of times and in the best of times, that God is always faithful and there is always something to be thankful for. Thanksgiving has become a habit! It really is that simple. If you want to develop a more thanks filled lifestyle, why not give it a try. All you need is some sort of simple notebook or journal, a pen, and a willing heart!
still following,
I've always loved writing my thoughts down in what we use to call a diary. I like this Thanksgiving idea of writing my thankfuls once a day. I started once, but did not continue, but your post inspires me to start with this month. Thanks for the reminder. I got Ann's book from the Library, I think after seeing one of your posts, and after reading it, I purchased because so many good points to highlight and to remember. Especially loved her tips for making someone else's day with random gifts. I've only done one so far because I'm much too timid when it comes to approaching strangers, but plan to work on that.
ReplyDeleteGreat scripture reminder to just say thanks prayers. Even on a gloomy Fall day, there are things to be thankful for.
Peabea@Peabea Scribbles
Ann's books are definitely ones you want to own, underline, and refer back to!
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