It's Thankful Thursday!

Before I go to bed, I try to record at least a couple things from the day that I can record in my gratitude journal. It's a way for me to focus on gratitude instead of complaint. I may go days or weeks without writing anything and then list a couple pages' worth another day. I do number them (at least, the top ones on each page) as a way to "count my blessings, name them one by one."

When I taught fourth and fifth grades, I gave each student a gratitude journal for them to record their own blessings at the end of the day. Often, on Thursdays, we call it "Thankful Thursday," and plaster our blessings all over the white board. Usually, things like "pizza" and "Clash of Clans"  would be up there, but I would remind them that if "every good and perfect gift is from above (James 1)," then we really can thank Him for ALL things.

I thought I would type out some of my own gratitude journal items on "Thankful Thursdays" here on the blog. It probably won't happen every week, but it can be a reminder to any readers to try the discipline, too! (After all, it was a blog where I first found out about it!)

Sometimes, at the top of the page, I will write a short prayer to remind myself that it's God I'm praising for these things. I'm not writing for the sake of a "feel-good" practice.

JESUS, You are the Giver of every good and perfect thing. In the big and momentous and in the small and ordinary, You delight in the details of my life. Thank you for Your provision of one blessing after another. Give me eyes to see all the good!

40,761. a few quiet moments while dinner's in the oven

40,762. in the middle of several good books

40,763. Colson's wild hair

40,764. a drive around town today

40,765. We're debt free (cue the Dave Ramsey scream!)

40,766. Lucas' hard work and diligence

40,767. working as a team

40,768. Colson able to walk across the room carrying shoes or pans or whatever

40,769. learning to embrace the chaos

40,770. Libby app on phone

40,771. bluetooth speakers in kitchen

40,772. Rhythms of Renewal audiobook - so good!

40,773. able to get books from the library again

40,774. packed up tent before the rain

40,775. audiobooks for the van = opened up a whole new world

40,776. seeing Colson in the same clothes the other boys wore

40,777. encouraged by Stacey, Rachel, Katie K, Aidan's therapeutic writing for themselves that touches others

40,778. ability to stay at home

40,779. timer on the oven

40,780. 5Q Zoom group this morning

40,781. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy (Psalm 126)

40,782. getting the link to Hannah and Stephen's wedding

40,783. technology to make that possible

40,784. that I'm not planning a wedding now

40,785. how helpful the big boys are

40,786. rain for our tomato plants

40,787. 10 years ago tomorrow -- engaged!