Yes, I've been keeping a daily gratitude journal for almost twelve years, yet still I fail.
The truth is, if I stay focused on living in the present then it's easy to see God's blessings in my daily life. But, when I begin to entertain "what if" thoughts about tomorrow, then worry and fear and sadness crowd out today's gratitude. The truth is, nothing about tomorrow is guaranteed except for the fact that God is the same yesterday, today and forever and will never, never, never leave me or forsake me. What happens when I fret about tomorrow is that I lose my delight in what is in my here and now. Oh, how I want to savor these moments I have today and to cherish them in my heart with a heart that overflows with gratitude to the One from Whom all of these blessings flow.
*****************
Since 2009 I've been counting my blessings thanks to the prompting of Ann Voskamp.
I continue to count my thanks,
piling up gratitude day by day in my journal.
(and capturing some of my blessings via my camera or iPhone)
#14,509-#14,531
5-24-2021-
-my hubs bringing me coffee in bed-(my favorite!)
-our tire shop repairing our tire for free even though it wasn't one we purchased there
-hosting growth group at my house-(I love these ladies!)
5-25-2021-
-grandson number three is four years old today! (I love him so!)
-see God working in a situation I was praying specifically about
-thank you God that our doctor found a medicine that knocks out my migraines
and that I've not had one for a long time until today
5-26-2021-
-sunshine streaming through my window
-good coffee
-beginning the day with worship
-a bit of unexpected time with my husband on a weekday as we ran some errands together
5-27-2021-
-our youngest daughter, son-in-law and their two children are home after three months away!
-the beautiful, wonderful, faithful, surprising, amazing leadership of God in our lives
-praying for one another at church
5-28-2021-
-Papa and I taking C and B on a walk to the park in my hometown
-enjoying lunch outdoors by the river
-this beautiful weather
5-29-2021-
-taking a picnic lunch to the park with the grands
-again, so thankful for this beautiful weather so the grandkids can enjoy being outdoors
(and eating ice cream!)
-reading bedtime stories, singing with and praying with my grandkids who get to spend two nights with us
5-30-2021-
-my daughter and grandkids being at church with us
-such a good message!
-visiting with one another at our church's annual Memorial weekend BBQ
-for the most powerful prayer you can pray, "Lord, change me!"
still following,
I love what you said, "The truth is, nothing about tomorrow is guaranteed except for the fact that God is the same yesterday, today and forever and will never, never, never leave me or forsake me. What happens when I fret about tomorrow is that I lose my delight in what is in my here and now".
ReplyDeleteI've really been digging deeper lately and starting to realize that I've been stuck in my grief, it makes me focus on myself (not good at all) and away from enjoying the beauty of each day. I know that the Lord is always with me and that I have much to be grateful for, but the enemy has a way of distracting us from what is important. Not me but Christ.
Thank you for your lovely post and for reminding us that we have so very much to be thankful for and a huge list of blessings to count.