As Thanksgiving day approaches, I decided to write on gratitude because it avoids what can be frantic preparations for the one day focused on thanksgiving. (Nov. 23 this year.)
A friend of mine says she keeps a gratitude journal and writes in it each day. I find this to be inspiring and challenging and am attempting to do it with some difficulty.
Gratitude is a powerful means of drawing near to God. It makes us take notice of how God is present in our lives and acknowledges His tender mercies to us. This increases our confidence that the Lord will hear and answer our prayers and guide our lives. It builds our faith to take note of the way He is working in our lives. Often we look back and see how He has answered needs we had even when it seemed like a tangled mess at the time. His ways are not our ways. Isaiah 55:8-9
“Praise the Lord, Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 106:1 He is working even when we do not see it at the time.
Suggested prayer: “Thank you, Lord, for the blessings you have bestowed on my life.” Then name the specific ways you are aware He is working. This draws us to God and deepens our faith and leads to joy and to peace.
Let us all resolve to practice more gratitude.
© Peggy Park
