Thanksgiving is not officially celebrated here in Australia. So it has been refreshing reading blogs of my WordPress friends where Thanksgiving is the focus and it is celebrated with a public holiday!
I thought it would be fun to join in on the theme and share an excerpt from my gratitude journal. Each day I try to remember to write down a few simple things…as you can see.
This has been an on again off again practice for many years, and I admit the journal got lost for a few years before making its reappearance during last year’s challenges.
I encourage you…if you don’t already do this, make it a practice! Even the brain science backs up why being grateful is so important! But more importantly, Scripture tells us to give thanks…always!
Blessings my friends! 🙂
Quietly Roaring 
I enjoyed reading your gratitude list, Jo. I’ve heard of gratitude journaling, but don’t like the sight of my own handwriting.😬 A list is much more doable.
Here goes: 1. Nancy, my wife of twenty years. 2. My three grown sons who are at various stages of “adulting.” 3. Cooper, my schnauzer: truly man’s best friend.
Blessings!
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That’s a great start! 🤩
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I like your list Jo. Writing down what we are grateful for keeps us consistent in keeping our eyes on Jesus.
I am thankful for my hubby, son and my dog.
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I’m grateful for my hubby too, he just wasn’t on that particular page I took a photo of! 😆
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😊😁
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Graditude journal- What a great idea! And what a godly practice. Thank you.
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I started it years ago after reading a book called 1000 gifts by Ann Voskamp. A beautiful book I highly recommend.
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If listing helps, then go for it. For me it ends up just something else on my to-do list. Instead, I pray and ask God to help me to have a grateful heart, because selfishness runs deep and comes so naturally to us all. I am humbled to remember that Jesus gave thanks for the bread at the Last Supper. Now that is the grateful heart that I need to have! Have a blessed day my down-under friend!
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Hi Pastor Pete as you say it’s all about having a grateful heart! Looking back in this particular journal reminds me of many precious memories which I’d otherwise likely forget. Thanks for stopping by and blessings to you!
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This is great, Jo! Thank you for sharing this with us!!!! 🤗🤗🤗🤗
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You’re welcome 🤗
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You had me at chubby baby rolls and smiles! Awesome!
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I thank God for our granddaughter often. 🙂
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Great list! And great practice to put into place. There’s never a time when gratitude isn’t the correct response!
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Hi Benita thanks for stopping by! I always appreciate your encouraging words.
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A beautiful list Jo! I love how many of your entries involve your family. My family has always come together over the holidays and I am incredibly grateful for the love and laughter that fills our time together.
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Family is the best gift. Thanks for stopping by Beth, and God bless you and yours!
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Good post, Jo. A list is a useful thing, and as I can tell by the numbers, you’ve found many, many things to be thankful for, which translate into reasons to smile. My children’s book, “Grumpy to Grateful,” is finally on its way to publication. In the note to parents I suggest a list, too, except doing it with your child, posting it in a prominent place (on the fridge?) and adding to it each day. 🙂
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Sounds like a wonderful book Annie! And yes, I’m over 1000 on my list now. Its been an on again off again practice for many years, but I am much more consistent since having cancer last year I suddenly have a lot more awareness if how much I can be thankful for.
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My list has been known to contain thanks for things I did NOT have, including cancer. Once in the throes of stomach flu, I was having a hard time thinking of something to be thankful for. Then it hit me – I should thank God that I didn’t feel that way ALL THE TIME. 😉
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We have so much to be thankful for, even in hard times. It can be so easy to take things for granted like warmth, food, and shelter. May God create in us a thankful heart. Blessings, Jo!
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Amen Cindy!
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