LIVING FROM A POSTURE OF GRATITUDE ALL YEAR LONG

Life

Nov 24

Date

11.23.23

time

6:00 PM

Place

Kate’s Dining Room Table

GRATITUDE.

Thanksgiving is a beautiful time of year, when we gather with family and close friends, break bread together, and express our gratitude for the blessings in our lives. It’s one of my favorite holidays because it’s focused entirely on gratitude. Thanksgiving has always been a reminder to pause and reflect, and families often participate in traditions where they go around the table and each person shares something they’re thankful for. I absolutely love traditions like this and think that we should take any opportunity we can to give thanks for the blessings in our lives. But, this posture of gratitude should extend far beyond the Thanksgiving dinner table. Every day is an opportunity to embrace this posture, and today we’re going to dive into some of the ways I do this in my life in hopes that this will inspire you to do the same.

Over the years, I’ve found that gratitude is a powerful force that can transform my outlook on life. Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have, from what’s going wrong to what’s gone right. By no means am I suggesting we ignore the challenges in life, but I am suggesting that we make gratitude such a regular practice in our lives that when we process through those challenges, they’re passing through a new filter of thankfulness. Living in gratitude is more than just saying, “Thank you, Lord,” once or twice a day. It’s about experiencing a profound change in perspective that can truly improve our mental and emotional well-being.

One of the practical ways I’ve cultivated gratitude in my daily life is through journaling my prayers. Just like the Thanksgiving tradition of giving thanks, I start each day by writing down the things I’m grateful for. Sometimes they’re small things, and other times I’m thanking God for the biggest blessings in my life. No matter what I jot down, this simple act sets a really positive tone for my day and helps tune my awareness to the beautiful things He has graciously given me.

You may be wondering: why write your prayers instead of speaking them out loud?

You know I love to write, gals, and I think there’s something so unique about actually putting pen to paper. In a world where we’re always so rushed, this practice forces us to slow down and be more intentional. As I write, my thoughts become more organized, and I’m able to express myself in a more profound way. As I pray, I allow the Holy Spirit to guide me, and this practice allows me to engage on a deeper level. If that doesn’t convince you, I’ll share with you some other ways this practice has improved my ability to live from a posture of gratitude.

It provides the opportunity for reflection. I love looking back months or years later and reflecting on the different seasons I’ve walked through. If I hadn’t written down my prayers, I likely would’ve forgotten the depth of the emotion I was feeling at various times, and being able to reflect upon my prayers has brought me closer to Jesus.

It helps me be accountable for my mindset. When I write my prayers, I hold myself accountable for the things I am asking God. It’s easier to see how my petitions align with my gratitude when they’re in black and white in front of me.

It reminds me of God’s faithfulness. As I look back on my prayer journal, I’m often floored by the way God has answered my prayers, the way He’s given unexpected blessings, and the moments He was at work when I couldn’t even see it. This practice not only encourages my gratitude but also reminds me that God is exactly who He says He is.

It encourages my soul. When we write down our prayers, we have a paper trail of our walk with God. These prayers can remind us to be grateful for things on days where gratitude might evade us, and show us the storms we’ve weathered together over the years, and how we’ve never walked through them alone.

Writing down my prayers has really helped set me up for living from a posture of gratitude, but there are other ways to integrate this practice into our day-to-day lives. This could look like a simple morning routine of waking up and thanking God for three things in your life, even before your feet hit the floor. If writing your prayers feels daunting, keep a running note in your phone of the things you are grateful for, and add to it any time something pops into your head. I also love the idea of setting an alarm a couple of times a day, and whenever it goes off, stopping to reflect on the things we’re grateful for.

To further engrain gratitude into our lives, I also think it’s critical to not keep it to ourselves. Let others know you appreciate them. This will both strengthen your relationships and spread positivity, and we all know that the world could use more of that! Bringing others into our gratitude practice can also look like doing something kind for others without expecting anything in return. When we’re living in gratitude, these acts of kindness come more naturally and we live from a more charitable posture.

So, friends, as we enter into Thanksgiving, may we thank God, truly and deeply, for the ways He has blessed us. But, as we move beyond this one day, let’s find ways to practice that attitude the other 364 days of the year, too. Each day brings new opportunities to cultivate gratitude, and as we look back on our journeys, we’ll be amazed at the transformation that has taken place. In a time where the world is moving a million miles a minute, let’s not wait until next Thanksgiving to express our gratitude.

I’m wishing you all a beautiful Thanksgiving with family and friends. May both your hearts and your stomachs be full.