God's acts of power and
graciousness.
use to anyone. Everyone likes to feel
appreciated and saying thank you is
one way we convey that.
ordinary things.
things that most people don't think
twice about--clean water, my bed,
even my comfy pajamas! I truly am
thankful for these things, and I make
it a point to let God know that I am.
feelings.
good, all the time. When I focus on
my feelings, though, I find I have
very little to be thankful for. True
gratitude comes from a heart of
love, not from how we feel.
keep ourselves alert to the subtle
or indirect blessing of God. I've
noticed that when I'm shopping alone
with my four daughters I always find
a parking place close to the store's
entrance and near a cart return.
Coincidence? I don't think so. God
"extra help" on these days.
adversity.
goodness (Philippians 1:3). One
night during an excruciating mi-
graine, I was determined to praise
God and thank Him for His goodness
even in the midst of my pain. It was
one of the best times I've ever had
with the Lord.
can't afford a new table and chairs
for the dining room? Go serve in a
soup kitchen for the homeless. Find
it difficult to be thankful for your
job? Spend a few minutes with the
people in line at the unemployment
office. Do you find yourself complain-
ing about minor aches and pains?
Pray for someone with a terminal
illness. I find that when I put things
in proper perspective my gratitude
level soars.
ness.
one." Several years ago I began a
"Thank you" journal dedicated
exclusively for recording blessings
from the Lord. To date, I have many
volumes of these journals filled.
a daily time of thanksgiving was so
important to the nation that the
Levites were officially appointed
to stand in the temple every morn-
ing and evening to thank God
(see 1 Chronicles 23:30). If we
don't make time to specifically
express our gratitude to God, we
may find ourselves neglecting it
altogether.
cards and use them generously.
Regularly let family and friends
know how grateful you are for
them. Thank those you cross paths
with frequently--the store clerk,
the office janitor, the mail carrier.
The more we appreciate people,
the more we'll appreciate the One
who put them in our lives.
gratitude to God. Paul told the
Corinthians that such generosity
"is not only supplying the needs of
God's people but is also overflowing
in many expressions of thanks
to God" (2 Corinthians 9:12). I love
being able to give back to God in
this way as it serves as a reminder
of all that He's given me.