Even though the Thanksgiving season has past, I want to look at life through a lens of gratitude.

Being grateful everyday

There are so many things to be grateful for, each and every day of life. Thanksgiving Day is a simply a reminder and a time to celebrate. Like we celebrate someone on their birthday, but are grateful for them every day throughout the year as well. For me, I have loved to write down the things I am grateful for over the years.

Written gratitude ideas

Many times I filled in the margins of my monthly planner with all the things I am grateful for. Each day I practice gratitude and it makes me really see how much I have. Life has not always been easy but it is wonderful to see where God is in the details.

When we were growing up, my Mama came up with some pretty creative ways to show our gratitude. We would fill a jar with pieces of paper we would write on or make what we called a gratitude tree. One year it was construction paper leaves of all different colors we wrote on and then stuck to the wall. Another year we made a tree out of a wooden stick in a flower pot and we put papers on that. Throughout the year we got to see the jar fill up or the tree grow and it showed us how each day we were being blessed.

Another way to write down your gratitude is by starting a gratitude journal. These can be beautiful journals that you can look back on later. Writing gratitude is a physical way of reminding ourselves of what we have and how good God is. Sometimes it is very hard as the difficulties and the struggles are very real and present. But God knows and He right there walking this journey with us.

Encouraging gratitude

I encourage you to write on your gratitude list or start a gratitude journal. Include your kiddos and see what they are thankful for. Make a way for them to write it down. It is wonderful to see the world through their eyes. Making it fun will inspire them to count the many blessings they have.

Each of our paths are different and living every day with gratitude can help us to take that second to stop and breathe, to focus on the joys around us, and see where God is with us each and every moment. Truly we are all blessed to be pedaling on this journey of life.

Favorite verses on gratitude

Memorizing verses can help when we feel discouraged and overwhelmed in life. Here are some of my favorite verses on gratitude.

Psalms 9:1 (NIV) I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

Psalms 118:29 (TPT) So let’s keep on giving our thanks to God, for he is so good! His constant, tender love lasts forever!

1 Thessalonians 5:16 (NIV) Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV) So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Philippians 4:4-7 (TPT) Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let your joy overflow! And let gentleness be seen in every relationship, for our Lord is ever near. Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will guard your heart and mind through Jesus Christ.

I hope you are encouraged and uplifted in this holiday season. Feel free to comment what you are grateful for and more ideas you may have to encourage others to be grateful. May God bless you as you continue to see His light on your journey of life.

P.S. I hope you enjoyed these photos I took of the beautiful Smokey Mountains. This adventure was so much fun and truly breathtaking! God’s splendor is everywhere and when I see these views I am humbled and so grateful!