This season reminds us to give thanks—but what if gratitude is a gift we can give ourselves all year long?
It’s the time of year when we are invited to slow down, notice the goodness of God, and celebrate His love and mercy. Throughout November, we’re reminded to give thanks, and December invites us to marvel at how Jesus entered our messy world as an infant—the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” This sacred season calls us to reflect, rest, and remember that every good thing we have flows from His grace.
Yet even during this time when our hearts are supposed to be at peace, many of us find ourselves more stressed and anxious than ever. Our calendars fill up, our minds race, and somewhere between the shopping lists and family gatherings, we lose sight of the joy we set out to celebrate. When worry takes hold, our minds quickly turn blessings into burdens and privileges into obligations. But I’ve discovered something simple and powerful that helps realign my heart—it’s the practice of intentional gratitude.
A few months ago, I bought a small Five-Minute Gratitude Journal that I use each morning before beginning my day. Each page asks a few questions—like naming someone whose kindness makes your life better or identifying something small you’re thankful for. One recurring prompt challenges me to find the growth or good that has come from a difficult situation. That single question has changed the way I see hardship. It’s teaching me that gratitude isn’t just about listing blessings; it’s about recognizing the hand of God at work in all things—both the pleasant and the painful.
I recently came across a quote by Michelangelo describing his sculpting process. He said, “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” Pastor Kris Vallotton says the difference between chipping rocks and freeing angels lies in how we view our hard places. When we choose to see challenges as opportunities God is using to shape, refine, and bless us, we’re not just surviving them—we are being transformed by them. Gratitude helps us see that even in the carving, God’s goodness is at work.
That’s the beauty of gratitude—it’s a gift we give ourselves that keeps on giving all year long. Gratitude doesn’t change our circumstances, but it changes the way we see them. It turns ordinary moments into reminders of God’s extraordinary love. It reminds us that He is present in our laughter and our tears, our abundance and our need. When we practice gratitude, we unwrap the quiet assurance that God is good—not just during the holidays, but every single day.
A Prayer of Gratitude
Lord, thank You for Your goodness that follows me through every season. Help me to pause and see Your hand at work in all things. Teach me to live with a grateful heart—not only for what is easy to love, but for every circumstance that draws me closer to You. Let gratitude shape my days and remind me that Your love is constant and good. Amen.
No responses yet