Yesterday afternoon I was sitting at a red light (multi-tasking, of course). I glanced up from my book to see this license plate staring back at me: THKFUL. I laughed out loud. What a perfect reminder of our focus on choosing gratitude!
I wondered at the story behind that expression of gratitude. Did the owner need a daily reminder? Was it a reflection of his daily demeanor? Or was the intended audience those passing by—perhaps even those growing impatient while waiting at a red light?
Regardless of the intent, that license plate has lived on in my memory this week. It was such a unique expression of gratitude; an expression that has caused me to reflect again and again on the condition of my own heart. Am I truly becoming a more grateful woman? Am I living close enough to the cross that gratitude increasingly becomes my natural response–regardless of the circumstances? Am I in the habit of expressing gratitude to the Lord and to others? Am I asking the Lord to show me unique ways of conveying my gratitude to those who have blessed me?
As Nancy says in Choosing Gratitude, “Gratitude is not the quiet game. It begs to be expressed, both to God and to others. ‘Silent gratitude,’ Galdys Berthe Stern said, ‘isn’t much use to anyone.’” In light of that, I thought we would dedicate this blog to sharing our own unique expressions of gratitude. We would love to hear the creative ways you or someone you know has expressed gratitude to family members, friends, and those in your church or community.
How have you celebrated special markers or moments in life? What “excuses” have you used for calling a special “thanks-giving” celebration? In what ways have you made gratefulness a daily expression to God and to others? How are you cultivating a grateful heart in your own life, your family, or the women in your church?
"Gratitude is born in hearts that take time to count up past mercies.” We pray you will be challenged and inspired by each other’s unique expressions of gratitude!
Comments
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I guess the best way to tell someone "Thank You" is well, just to look them square in the face and say it..."Thank you for....". I just happen to be one of those that usually burst into tears when I start. I can't even give a small testimony at church without bursting into tears. I can't help it. You don't know what kind of pit I was in when Jesus lifted me and I guess only the Lord (or somebody who was in the same pit) can understand.
I've also heard of the "pay it forward" terminology lately...I don't really have a good grasp on the concept but from what I can gather...when someone blesses you or does something to make a difference in your life, you, in turn, do something for someone else to bless them and make a difference in their life. Like what we learn here at TW and ROH, we teach to our daughters and to those with whom we come in contact.
on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 10:01 am
Thank you for your post. I love that license plate!!
I, too, am reading Nancy's book, "Choosing Gratitude."
In fact, this is my second time of reading it because I want to go through the chapters at a slower pace and take notes. One of the things that Nancy mentioned in her book was receiving a "Give Thanks" journal as a gift, and at the end of every day, she would write five things she was thankful for for that day. I thought that was a great idea. I am using a bright yellow notebook (it matches the color of Nancy's book!) and labeled it my "Give Thanks" journal, and I am trying to do the same thing. I date each entry, and list all that I am grateful for for the day. I can then go back and remind myself of all of God's blessings when I get "amnesia" and forget the Lord's mercies and blessings!
Also, I try to incorporate a time of thanksgiving in my prayers so it's not just me making requests to the Lord.(though He invites us to do that!)
Have a blessed day, and be "THKFUL!"
on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 11:12 am
Last Friday, she and I went to a luncheon in Chattanooga hosted by TW. On the table in the back of the room was a stack of "Choosing Gratitude". I thought they might offer the book to us that day with a discount. I told the Lord that if they offered them for $10 each, I would get one for Christa and one for myself.
At the end of the program someone said there were enough books for each of us to have one - FOR FREE! We were so excited!
We are truly thankful to TW for the books and for the ministry you have in the lives of so many women.
We can't wait for the TW conference in March!
on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 12:16 pm
This coming weekend the ladies from my church are gathering to give thanks to God. We are going to give thanks for His past mercies this past year and then praise Him for His mercies today, even if we are still "in the midst" of a trial. Like the author of Lamentations, who watched the devastation of Jerusalem and the temple and the people carried off into exile, in the middle of it all he says "this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." We are then going to thank God for His promises of future grace. Based on the promises we have in Scripture we will thank Him for all that we can count on Him for in the coming year.
We did this last year and it was wonderful. God filled our mouths with praise and we are crying out to Him to do so again. I pray that, by His grace, it will be a daily attitude instead of just a yearly event.
on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 12:32 pm
To be honest though, my little girls have taught me more about gratitude that I could possibly state in one blog comment. The sweetest, most consistent reminder that comes to mind though, is the way they never, ever fail to reach out for our hands as they begin their simple prayer - at every meal - with "Thank you God for Miller Grace..." You see, we have been blessed with four girls. Miller Grace was #3 and she only got to stay with us for five days before the Lord called her home. It is a precious thing to see the way God has taught their hearts - even in the midst of acute loss they cannot fully comprehend - to be grateful.
By grace, through faith....
on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Personally, I am starting a Gratitude Journal on my birthday in late November and will be writing down 3 things every day for which I'm thankful. They don't know it yet, but my daughters are getting the same journal for Christmas! I will be asking them to go on this journey of thanksgiving in 2010. I can't wait to see how our lives are changed and blessed!
on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 3:34 pm
So good to see you here on the blog! We’re grateful for all of you who are “paying forward” the truths of God’s Word into the lives of the children God entrusted to you.
Rejoicing with you tonight, Jodi, at all the Lord’s done in bringing you from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of His glorious light!
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD (Ps. 40:2-3).
Blessings,
Carrie
on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 7:20 pm
I love your journaling ideas! Journals are such great tools to help us remember all the Lord’s done in our lives.
If you’ve not yet done so, you need to check out our Choosing Gratitude Companion Journal http://store.reviveourhearts.com/choosinggratitudecompanionjournal.aspx. It’s a great place to record all the Lord’s teaching you on the journey of becoming a radically thankful woman. And it would make a great Christmas gift.
Happy journaling, girls ~
Carrie
on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 7:33 pm
So thankful you could be with Nancy and the team at the TW Chattanooga luncheon last week! I spent some time this afternoon looking through a number of photos taken during the luncheon; looks like it was an exciting time for everyone. We’re thrilled to be coming to Chattanooga and are eagerly anticipating all God wants to do during that conference.
Grateful for the way God provided a copy of “Choosing Gratitude” for Christa!
See you in March ~
Carrie
on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 7:47 pm
What a great idea! We pray the Lord will instill great courage and strength into the hearts of all those who attend as the greatness of our God is magnified through their praise.
Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand (Psalm 149:6).
Blessings to you, Helen ~
Carrie
on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 7:54 pm
What a precious example of a sacrifice of praise. Thank you for instilling in your precious daughters the importance of giving thanks in even the most difficult of circumstances. You are laying a firm foundation for their faith, Emily!
Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name ( Hebrews 13:15).
Press on in your battle to instill seeds of gratefulness and uproot weeds of grumpiness ~
Carrie
on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Another way I have found is if you aren't great on your feet when it comes to speaking... but you can write. Write a letter, hand written is most personal... but email can work in a pinch. Write a letter to the person who has blessed and touched your life... be specific. This is something they can file away in an 'encouragement file' that may speak to them often in the days, months or years to come.
As we are often reminded in God's Word... we need to thank Him for the amazing people He has placed in our lives.
"We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren (and sisters), your election by God." IThess 1:2-4
on Friday, November 20, 2009 at 9:29 am