Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with Thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6
Have you ever kept a Thankfulness Journal? I have in the past. I believe I am going to again for 2025. Sometimes, we take things for granted that God has given us. Ann Voskamp wrote a book about her learning about Jesus by following a friend’s suggestion and listing three things she was thankful for each day.
When I did it before, I had to be alert and look for things that I could record in my journal. I found myself giving thanks to God for things that, at one time, I took for granted. When I pray, there are times when I find myself giving thanks to God for the simple things that a lot of people take for granted.
I write this post on Thanksgiving Day. My list of items for which I am thankful is very special to me. Just yesterday, I received a call from a lady who asked me if I would be interested in filling a position that she needs to vacate on a district prayer network that I represent our local church on. I am honored that the lady over her has remembered me. After talking with my husband, I have decided not to accept the position.
I love that Ephesians scripture. And Ephesians 4:8 where we are told to think then upon things that are good. Recently I have been thanking God on my walks for clouds and for the sky.
ReplyDeleteTerra: Thank you for your heartfelt thoughts. Peace and blessings to you and yours.
DeleteA thankfulness journal is really special. I also read Ann Voskamp's book. I believe I loaned the book to someone and I never got it back, but I am thankful that I had it and it was a gift to me so I just passed it on. I pray that person is thankful for it as well. OOPS, I take that back. I just checked my bookshelf, and there it is! I guess whoever had it DID give it back. Sorry about that! Maybe I need to read it again! Anyway, yes, keeping a journal of things we see each day that we are thankful for is very helpful in helping us to realize just how much we really do have to be thankful for! Like you said, things that we used to take for granted, we now understand are special "gifts" to us from God that should never be taken for granted. He planned them for us to bless us and give us joy and hope. Regarding the position you were asked to fill but have decided not to, even being asked is a very nice blessing, but it is wisdom to know when we can and cannot do something and to be honest with ourselves and others about it. Even though it hurts to say "No" to some things, I have learned in life that always saying "yes" may actually hurt us more, so we really need to pray and ask for God's guidance on things before making any answer at all. I learned that lesson the hard way as a young Pastor's wife. Sometimes yet today I still need to remember that. I hope you have a blessed and wonderful weekend. Hard to believe that Advent starts this Sunday! Wonderful days ahead. Blessings to you and yours.
ReplyDeletePam: Thank you for your kind words. I had a copy of Ann Voskamp's book and a devotional she wrote, using the same title. I need to truly get organized for whatever comes for me in the future. We truly need to pray for God's guidance for us and for our nation. Peace and blessings to you and yours.
DeleteI've kept a gratitude journal in the past, Cecelia, and am thinking, like you, that it would be so fulfilling to do so again. Maybe, I'll choose "grateful" as my word for 2025? Stay tuned. Blessings to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteMartha Jane: Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Gratitude sounds like a good word for 2025. Ann Vosburg found three things each day to be grateful for. Some days that could be a challenge, other days, it would be we have more. Peace and blessings to you and yours.
Delete