Hi friends, I wanted to pop in and say Happy Thanksgiving! I don’t have a recipe for you, but since tomorrow is a great opportunity to slow down and realize all that we’re grateful for, I want to share a few words on my heart about practicing gratitude daily.
Source: Chip Phillips Photography
Life is busy and hectic. We often live at a breakneck pace, and the demands, struggles, and worries we face can leave little room for a heart full of thanks. But I have learned am learning that, in the midst of the busyness and pressures, we can choose gratefulness. We can train our minds and hearts to choose joy.
And don’t misunderstand me- it’s not an attitude that EVERYTHING is sunshine and butterflies and rainbows all the time. That isn’t real. And I’m not going to lie, a lot of the time I run around like a crazy woman, letting the pressures and worries of life dictate my attitude.
But we have a God that offers us peace and contentment and joy, no matter what our circumstances may be.
One of my favorite verses is from Philippians, and it instructs us to come to God with Thanksgiving… in everything.
Source: Pinterest
In the book of Philippians, Paul uses “rejoice” eight times. What’s amazing to me is that Paul wrote these words in the middle of incredible hardship. He was in prison. He was persecuted for his beliefs. He was fearful for his life. Yet, he chooses gratitude.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7
When we practice gratitude and focus on the amazing gifts God has given us, we are drawn closer to Him. And He is the One who will transform our hearts and minds into a place of peace and contentment that we can’t even imagine on our own.
I read a devotional recently from Proverbs 31 and wanted to share this little gem from it… Because God knows thanksgiving may not change our situation, but it will always change our soul. And when gratitude shifts our gaze from our circumstances to our Savior, we find the joy for which our hearts have been longing.
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving full of family, food, football, and of course, gratitude. 🙂
P.S. If you are looking for something fun to bake this weekend, check out my honey roasted peanut butter cookies from last week!
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