journey onWord with us

On this day of Thanksgiving, we stop the merry-go-round of fast-paced living to reflect on all our blessings. I’ll be honest and say it just seems wrong to me that we focus on blessings in one tiny window of time each year. Giving thanks is something that should be part of our daily routine. Our typical days of thanks-giving may not be surrounded by turkey, dressing, pies and family, but they are just as needed as the one-day celebration known as Thanksgiving Day.

Twice in the past week the same quote has appeared in different settings and circumstances. I find it striking and profound, all at the same time. You may have seen it, but the words are a good reminder to us all. “What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday? I don’t know the author of the timely words, but they resonate with my thoughts of re-framing every day as a thanks-giving day.

In my search for the quote, I noticed a meaningful way it was used by Misty Gatlin, who started a gratitude journal with her husband.

“We decided to start writing a gratitude journal.  In this journal we wrote 2 things we were thankful for in general and two things we were thankful for in the other person.  Then, every Sunday we would read it to each other. There was a “catch” though.  We could never say the same thing more than once, and it got difficult sometimes because we had to get creative.  I absolutely loved when Sunday rolled around, and we got to read the week’s gratitude to one another.”

With a little intentionality, we could all start a gratitude journal!

For me there is a deeper and more profound reason to live with constant thanks-giving. It is the Father’s model for all Christ-followers. In Ephesians 5:20, we find these words; “giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Sometimes we find it hard to be thankful for the circumstances of life, but when we purposely recognize God’s control, care and love for us … any day can be thanks-giving. For all who know Christ personally, a thanks-giving life is an obedient life.

It is so easy to say, “Intentionally give thanks daily.” It is so much harder to accomplish it. It is far easier to wait for that one-day-a-year to catch up with blessings. But, oh, what we miss by not creating a thanks-giving habit during the year. It can be done, and it will change our lives from minds and hearts without gratitude, to hearts and minds that turn all things upward. Don’t accept another year of the way things has been. Thanks-giving is the way to live!

One more quote from my reading. A friend gave me an insightful book last week entitled, The Last Arrow by Erwin McManus. It is full of good material, but one thought struck me deeply. I would like to leave it with you in the context of this day of thanks-giving. “Your past will be your future until you have the courage to create a new future.”  Will the future that starts for you today be one of thanks-giving 365 days a year? Think about it! With His help, do it!

Happy Thanksgiving!