Gratitude: the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

Gratitude, thankfulness or gratefulness, from the Latin word gratus "pleasing, thankful", is a feeling of appreciation felt by and/or similar positive response shown by the recipient of kindness, gifts, help, favors, or other types of generosity, to the giver of said gifts.  Copied from https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/you%27re_welcome

Open my eyes Lord to everything you have done and are doing in my life. Thank you for all the blessings in my life may I never take them for granted. Amen. 

Am I thankful, am I grateful, am I blessed? Am I filling my life with things of this world or with things of God? When I take my eyes off myself and my perception of lack to look at the blessings God has lavished on me it flips my narrative, my perspective. Everyone can change their belief system when staying focused on the positives in life.    

Look at Philippians 4:8; 

“Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

This scripture gives us eight ways to fix our thoughts. If we would look at everything through the lens of just one of those positives we could change our whole life perspective. That’s not to say we should refuse to see or admit there are negatives to life, they are there. However we can learn to say yes this is awful but I’m grateful for my children, my husband, my health. There is ALWAYS something to be grateful for. Even in a storm I can be grateful for the rain. 

I’m going to start a gratitude journal, writing down every good thing that happens. That way I can look back on a life filled with amazing blessings. I will commit to writing every detail big and small. Whose with me!

Examples of Gratitude;

The beauty of sunrises and sunsets. 

A husband who supports and encourages everything I do.  

Encouraging words from a friend.  

Flowers and Trees. 

Fall colours. 

The pictures my grandchildren draw for me. 

Notes of thanks. 

Talking with my parents.  

Unexpected gifts. 

Answered prayers. 

Pain free days. 

A phone call from family or a friend. 

Children’s laughter. 

Text messages saying praying for you today. 

A Church that feeds me spiritually. 

Friends that know and understand and love me. 

Friends who I can speak freely to without fear of judgement. 

Hearing ‘I love you’. 

A singing bird. 

Snow flakes. 

Family gatherings. 

Benefits of Gratitude;

A Full heart. 

Peace. 

Joy. 

Recognition of God working in our life. 

Others seeing and wanting what you have (new salvations!!)

Humility. 

Increased enthusiasm. 

Increased optimism. 

Contentment. 

Happiness. 

Wellness. 

Improved relationships

Shift in focus. 

Improved mental health. 

Boost to immune system. 

And so much more…..

Practice thankfulness and gratitude today and everyday. Appreciate the little things as well as the big things. Your perspective will change, your relationships will grow and improve and you will have a healthier more positive outlook on life. Guaranteed!  

Can you take ten seconds, right now, to give God thanks for the breath in your lungs and the beat of your heart. 

Giving thanks for all of my family and friends today and everyday praying Numbers 6:24-26 over you 

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

‭‭