“Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” [Ephesians 5:19–20] And because the object of this song is not favorable life circumstances (which can change) but the truth and grace of Jesus (which cannot), this heart song does not weaken in times of difficulty. (Hardcover, pp. 51–52; paperback, p. 49)
RADICAL GRATITUDE. In Ann Voskamp’s book One Thousand Gifts, she tells of the transformation that occurred when she began keeping a record of each day’s gifts and deliberately giving thanks for each one. This has the salutary effect of freeing us to focus on God’s goodness rather than on our disappointing circumstances. My own (Kathy’s) list, begun years ago, began very simply with “I am thankful for clean water to give to my children.” This was something that many parents in the world do not have. The reason I did have it was largely due to where I was born and raised—all of these things being God’s gifts. When I began to see things that I took for granted as things to be grateful for, it indeed injected a new music into my daily life.
Reflection: Do you keep a list of the things for which you are thankful about your spouse? If not, why not start today?
Thought for the day: Make your own list of very common, taken-for-granted things in your life for which you can be thankful to God. Then thank him directly for them.