Volume 104: Rest in Gratitude

"What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?" 1 Corinthians 4:7 

Every morning, I write down 3 things I am grateful for from the previous day. This has become a powerful discipline in my life over this past year, as it has helped to shift my mind to gratitude. 

The gratitude journal allows me to also see the things we listed on the date in every month. (Thank you, Debbie!) As the pages fill up, it's been such a gift to look back over all of the gratitudes. 

So as Thanksgiving rolled around this year, gratitude is something I have a lot of! 

And I have come to see - there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for. 

Even on the hard days...

Even when there's darkness around...

Even when joy is lacking...

I can always find at least three things to write down. 

In denying my inward focused tendencies, turning outward leads me to be grateful. 

This week of Thanksgiving break gave me many things to be thankful for: 

- Time in Delaware with Uncle Mike and his crew

- 3 days of time with Blakely - reading books, singing songs, and laughing a lot 

- Sharing a room with Madison, just like old days 

- Setting up the Christmas tree with Dad

- Sitting around a table with family, sharing a delicious meal

- Mom willing to drive me up to ATL to meet Matthew

- Sibling outing to the Georgia game and enduring 8 overtimes 

A lot of quality time with a family who loves me well!

About this time last year, I was in a chaotic headspace of trying to decide whether or not to move to Houston... Yet, as I have been reflecting in this season of Thanksgiving, I am very grateful for my time in Houston. 

For the work I get to do. 

For the community here. 

For the way it pushes me to pray more for my family in lieu of my absence.

For all of the different things to do. 

So I take the time to acknowledge God's faithfulness. As He has done over and over again in my life, He has provided. Continuing to train my forgetful flesh that He is faithful and able to be trusted. 

Lord, would you continue to exercise the muscle in me to trust you and surrender to your plan. 

As Pastor Eric encouraged me when I was making a decision, "God wants us to be people that can choose and trust that He is good."

Well, I made a choice. And He has been good. 

This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for God's continual goodness!

"All that I have needed thy hand hath provided. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!"

As Pastor Eric stated this morning (yes, of course, I had to watch the Rock Creek Thanksgiving service online!), may we be note takers! Recognizing the work God is doing all around us and willing to share it to others. 

As a community, our willingness to share our stories gives honor to God and hope to each other. Just as artists and authors do, we are able to see something others don't see and help them to see it! 

May we be bold in proclaiming the goodness of our God! And giving Him thanks! For "it is good to praise the Lord!"