Practicing Gratitude

This blog post was originally published on November 11, 2018.

“Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.” (Ps 95:2-3)

Being grateful isn’t something that comes naturally. We’re inherently selfish and focused on ourselves. We don’t always feel thankful. There are a lot of bad things happening in this world, and it’s sometimes hard to figure out how to be thankful in the midst of them.

Learning to be grateful takes practice. When faced with a trial or an unexpected bump in the road, my first thought is never how thankful I am for the difficulty or inconvenience. How I wish it were! Turning my mind from my struggles and onto the things for which I’m thankful allows me to grow closer to God and to receive physical and psychological benefits. Continue reading “Practicing Gratitude”

Cultivating Contentment

…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Phil 4:11-12)

Lately, I’m parsing the lessons the Lord has been teaching me during the COVID-19 pandemic. I’ve realized just how much my circumstances inform my ability to be content. At various times in my life, I’ve complained about my busy schedule, disliking large crowds, and having to cook. During the lockdown, I complained about canceled events, isolation, and having to cook. Continue reading “Cultivating Contentment”

Battling the Winter Blues

Authors’s note: This award-winning post was originally published on March 4, 2018.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Th 5:11)

The long, cold winter and gray skies were bringing me down. It seemed winter would never end, and this year my seasonal affective disorder (SAD-an apt acronym if ever there was one) has been triggered more often than in many recent years. The older I get, the more I hate cold weather, which is common of many of us who have SAD. The combination of cold, gray skies, and short days is enough to send me into a spiral of irritability and sadness. I try to keep those feelings to myself so that I won’t damage my relationships, but my friends and family who know me best are aware of how I feel and try to encourage me and talk me through it. Continue reading “Battling the Winter Blues”

The Benefits of Gratitude

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” (Ps 28:7)

November is well underway, and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. This is the time of year when we think about the things for which we’re thankful. But focusing on our blessings shouldn’t happen just once a year. How can we make gratitude a part of our daily lives?

Here are four benefits of gratitude:

  1. Gratitude lowers stress levels. Focusing on feelings of contentment produces lower stress levels. When I intentionally concentrate on the good things in my life, I gain perspective. I’m more aware of my blessings – and how I can be a blessing to others.
  2. Gratitude improves overall health. In general, grateful people have fewer aches and pains than others and are more likely to go to regular check-ups, which will contribute to longevity. Those who are grateful experience more empathy and less aggression. I want some of that, please!
  3. Gratitude improves self-esteem. Did you know that grateful people are also less prone to envy or regret? An attitude of gratitude has been shown to reduce comparisons. I’ve noticed that when I focus on my own blessings, I’m less inclined to become jealous of someone else’s accomplishments.
  4. Gratitude improves my relationship with God. One of the ways I’ve learned to express gratitude is by keeping a gratitude journal. While I’m not always faithful to note things in my journal every day, a quick glance through the journal shows me that God is faithful to provide. For the last few years, I’ve written down one thing for which I’m thankful that day, and then, I write out a prayer of thanksgiving to start my day off on a positive note. Writing out my prayers has made me more aware of the relationship between my blessings and my God. This process has also helped me become closer to God as it forces me to think more deeply about the things God has given me.

Gratitude is something that you can learn to express. Focus on the things that you have instead of the things that you don’t, and thank God as you remember how much he’s given you.

Dear Jesus, thank you for all the blessings that you’ve given me. Help me to develop an attitude of gratitude in all I do each day. Amen.

Lessons Learned from Gardening

“The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” (Lk 8:14-15)

Before the first freeze last fall, I brought my herbs inside my house. Each one grew in its own container, so I made a place for them in my laundry room, which receives a lot of sunlight. There were four: basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme.

One by one, the herbs died until the oregano was the only one left. At first, I watched it diligently for rot or dryness. Soon, I became distracted and forgot to check it as often as it needed. One day, I noticed its dry leaves and realized with chagrin that I had forgotten to water it. Overnight, it seemed, many of the leaves dried up and fell on the floor. My neglectfulness led to the eventual death of the oregano plant. Continue reading “Lessons Learned from Gardening”