Perhaps some people may view keeping a gratitude journal as a sweet spiritual practice that sounds like a good idea for some. Over the years that I have kept a gratitude journal, I've come to find it is much more than that. It's a life changing shift in mindset, a new way of seeing if you will. It unveils the eyes to see beyond life's trials and difficult circumstances and to see the faithfulness, care and blessings of God on the worst of days, the best of days and all of the ordinary mundane days in between. But recently, a friend of ours pointed out that honoring God and giving Him thanks are necessary for our stability and wellbeing and the stability and wellbeing of civilization. (As seen if you read the rest of Romans chapter one.) They are two pillars without which we become the worst version of ourselves. I might not be able to save the world from it's seemingly pell mell dash to destruction, but as for me, I can make sure the pillars of honoring God and giving Him thanks are strong and sturdy in my own life and the lives of those in which God has given me influence. God is worthy of all of our honor, worship and praise and our gratitude!
***************
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)
#16,207-#16,265
10-1-2022-
-rich teaching
-new friends and spiritual family
-laughter
-beautiful worship
10-2-2022-
-a powerful message about honoring God and giving Him thanks
-making plans to meet with new friends in the future
-good reports from home
-a save trip home
10-3-2022-
-God's protection over our east coast daughters and their families
and property during hurricane Ian
-our friend who took care of our pup when we were gone for the weekend
-our pup's rash all healed up
-God speaking to my heart during my morning quiet time
-$800 new tires for $400!
10-4-2022-
a cool, foggy morning
-the way God orders my day and helps me to get everything done when I surrender myself and my day to Him
-tea and good conversation
-dinner, planning and prayer with my Visionary Leadership Team
10-5-2022-
-Psalm 45
-foggy, misty autumn mornings
-a nice long phone chat with my sister
10-6-2022-
-praying through prayer points and scriptures for our day of fasting and prayer carefully prayed over and compiled for the women of our church by one of my dear right hand helpers in my VLT
-a beautiful evening with my granddaughters at a state park near my daughter's house
-making homemade spaghetti sauce with my ten year old granddaughter
-an unexpected change of plans
-God knowing that this change of plans was needed
10-7-2022-
-all we have needed Your hand has provided-thank You for Your faithful provision!
-praying about all things that concern us big or small and seeing God's care
(my five year old grandson's lost school coat was found)
10-8-2022-
-a blanket of fog covering the golden autumn grass in a farm field
-a drive out in the country to our granddaughter's soccer game
-my husband's safe and on time flight back home
10-9-2022-
-God clearing speaking to our church and the young people in particular
-our granddaughters at church with us
-a Sunday afternoon nap after a very full week
10-10-2022-
-praying scripture over our kids and grandkids
-a new person in church texting me about my husband's message and what it meant to her
-flowers from my guy
10-11-2022-
-notes for tonight's meeting completed with God's help
-reading Blueberries for Sal to my grandchildren over FaceTime
-the women of our church
-pumpkin desserts
10-12-2022
-God's faithful care for us
-autumn colors beginning to appear
-much needed help with some yard work, getting the gutters cleaned and the windows washed
10-13-2022-
-my guy going to the store for me when I woke up sick
-a phone chat with a friend
-starting to feel better already
-a day to rest
10-14-2022-
-waking up symptom free
-a great date day with my guy-we went to the beach for the day
-listening to audible books together on the drive
-playing fetch with our pup-she loves the beach, like me!
10-15-2022-
-our daughter discovering a curriculum that is working better for our grandson
-the lesson of Mama's lost hanky*
-a beautiful baby shower hosted by the young women's growth group
10-16-2022-
-a powerful word
-Your body broken for me-Your blood shed for me
-lunch with a sweet young couple
still following,
*I have several hankies of my mama's that are special to me. I somehow misplaced my favorite one and couldn't find it anywhere. I prayed and asked God to help me find it. One morning while praying specifically for my family members by name, the lost hanky came to my mind again and I again asked God to help me find it. Suddenly I remembered that I had been wearing an apron the last time I used the hanky and sure enough the hanky was in the pocket of that apron. In that moment God spoke to my heart clearly and said,"If I care about a lost hanky just because it is special to you, how much more do I care about your loved ones?" I want to always remember the lesson of the lost hanky that God taught me!
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