As each year winds down to its final month, I try to take the time to look back upon it and assess the good and bad that has happened during it. What milestones did our family note? What improvements did I make in my home, my relationships, and myself? … Where was it that I missed the mark? …. What could (or should) I do differently next year? This has proven an easy task in 1998, because I have only to open a notebook to review the previous three hundred and thirty some odd days… and the things that happened for which I am grateful.
On January 1 of this year, I took an eighty page, wide ruled notebook, wrote the date, the numbers one to five, and beside each number, something that had happened that day for which I was grateful. That day wasn’t too difficult… It was a holiday (no work), I located my bank card that I’d lost while shopping, found some good sales and we gave the 30 day notice to end our paper route! Add to this, my hospitalized brother’s condition was improving… I was off to a good year! And thus began what has probably been the only resolution I’ve ever carried out beyond January…. My Gratitude Journal.
I first learned of the “gratitude journal” from Oprah. I understand the idea comes from a book by Sarah Ban Breathnach, entitled Simple Abundance. (Puts me in mind of one of those paradoxical phrases like "pretty ugly", "definite maybe," "almost exactly") In John 10:10b we read Jesus came to give us life that we might have it abundantly, or to the full. I haven’t read Simple Abundance yet, (it is on my Christmas list) but I am now an advocate of gratitude journals. Some folks keep a diary or appointment book that they can look back on, as a reminder of what they’ve done, but this is quite different. Because… when at the close of each day, you look back at the previous 18 hours or so with the sole purpose of being thankful for five specific things that have happened, you can really stretch yourself! One or two usually come easy… if it has been one of those warm fuzzy days; there may be six! But more times than not… numbers three, four, and five take some serious consideration and pondering. Occasionally, I’ll rack my brain and look back at days gone by, searching for a “clue” for some grateful goody I can glean from the current day. My heart smiles as I am reminded of those previous entries. The blessings… the kindness shown to me through someone's word or deed…. A good sale …. God’s sovereignty!
The Bible instructs us over and over to be thankful. “Overflowing” (Colossians 2:7b) and “In all circumstances” (I Thessalonians. 5:18). How good for me to end my day, whatever it has held, not in an anxious state, but in prayer and petition…. With Thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6). From a rear view mirror perspective, I can look at 1998 as the year my husband graduated from college, got a new job, we moved to a new home, and I started writing for the Cedar Valley Christian News. I’ve also gained fifteen pounds… had struggles with a son…. Endured a garage sale and watched our country deal with issues of immorality in the Oval Office.
But when I look back at the year from the pages of my gratitude journal, I am reminded of the simple things for which I give thanks. A ride home for one of my kids… a visit with a neighbor… a sick child feeling better… an ice cream sale at Dairy Queen (which probably contributed to my weight gain!) A friend’s biopsy being negative… lost items found… 87.9 cent gasoline… a hot shower after a long day… coffee with an old friend. For the carry out boy at the grocery store… an afternoon nap… a friend’s long awaited adoption… that the November elections were finally over… a hug! That the container of peach preserves, which fell from the top shelf of the refrigerator, did not break open on my clean kitchen floor! … A mended relationship… an evening when I didn’t have to cook… a wonderful Sunday morning of worship… pain medication after surgery… Deciding not to go shopping the day after Thanksgiving (Praise God!) For my friend who offered to help paint the inside of our house… for the little boy at church who makes my day with his smile, outstretched arms, and sign language for “I love you.” That I live in a country where I can worship freely without fearing for my life… good weather for an outdoor event… email messages… opportunities to be used by God…. For His love and that of my family and friends.
It has been a very good year, and I have appreciated every day of it, possibly like no other year before, because I took note of it. How about you? Do you have a 79 cent notebook and three minutes each day to nurture your Attitude of Gratitude? I challenge you to give it a try… So when you enter the new millenium, you’ll be able to look back at 1825 good things that happened in 1999!
God bless each of you this holiday season and may that babe in the manger find a home in your heart, this Christmas and always!
On January 1 of this year, I took an eighty page, wide ruled notebook, wrote the date, the numbers one to five, and beside each number, something that had happened that day for which I was grateful. That day wasn’t too difficult… It was a holiday (no work), I located my bank card that I’d lost while shopping, found some good sales and we gave the 30 day notice to end our paper route! Add to this, my hospitalized brother’s condition was improving… I was off to a good year! And thus began what has probably been the only resolution I’ve ever carried out beyond January…. My Gratitude Journal.
I first learned of the “gratitude journal” from Oprah. I understand the idea comes from a book by Sarah Ban Breathnach, entitled Simple Abundance. (Puts me in mind of one of those paradoxical phrases like "pretty ugly", "definite maybe," "almost exactly") In John 10:10b we read Jesus came to give us life that we might have it abundantly, or to the full. I haven’t read Simple Abundance yet, (it is on my Christmas list) but I am now an advocate of gratitude journals. Some folks keep a diary or appointment book that they can look back on, as a reminder of what they’ve done, but this is quite different. Because… when at the close of each day, you look back at the previous 18 hours or so with the sole purpose of being thankful for five specific things that have happened, you can really stretch yourself! One or two usually come easy… if it has been one of those warm fuzzy days; there may be six! But more times than not… numbers three, four, and five take some serious consideration and pondering. Occasionally, I’ll rack my brain and look back at days gone by, searching for a “clue” for some grateful goody I can glean from the current day. My heart smiles as I am reminded of those previous entries. The blessings… the kindness shown to me through someone's word or deed…. A good sale …. God’s sovereignty!
The Bible instructs us over and over to be thankful. “Overflowing” (Colossians 2:7b) and “In all circumstances” (I Thessalonians. 5:18). How good for me to end my day, whatever it has held, not in an anxious state, but in prayer and petition…. With Thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6). From a rear view mirror perspective, I can look at 1998 as the year my husband graduated from college, got a new job, we moved to a new home, and I started writing for the Cedar Valley Christian News. I’ve also gained fifteen pounds… had struggles with a son…. Endured a garage sale and watched our country deal with issues of immorality in the Oval Office.
But when I look back at the year from the pages of my gratitude journal, I am reminded of the simple things for which I give thanks. A ride home for one of my kids… a visit with a neighbor… a sick child feeling better… an ice cream sale at Dairy Queen (which probably contributed to my weight gain!) A friend’s biopsy being negative… lost items found… 87.9 cent gasoline… a hot shower after a long day… coffee with an old friend. For the carry out boy at the grocery store… an afternoon nap… a friend’s long awaited adoption… that the November elections were finally over… a hug! That the container of peach preserves, which fell from the top shelf of the refrigerator, did not break open on my clean kitchen floor! … A mended relationship… an evening when I didn’t have to cook… a wonderful Sunday morning of worship… pain medication after surgery… Deciding not to go shopping the day after Thanksgiving (Praise God!) For my friend who offered to help paint the inside of our house… for the little boy at church who makes my day with his smile, outstretched arms, and sign language for “I love you.” That I live in a country where I can worship freely without fearing for my life… good weather for an outdoor event… email messages… opportunities to be used by God…. For His love and that of my family and friends.
It has been a very good year, and I have appreciated every day of it, possibly like no other year before, because I took note of it. How about you? Do you have a 79 cent notebook and three minutes each day to nurture your Attitude of Gratitude? I challenge you to give it a try… So when you enter the new millenium, you’ll be able to look back at 1825 good things that happened in 1999!
God bless each of you this holiday season and may that babe in the manger find a home in your heart, this Christmas and always!
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