This year, I will be more than 20,600 days old! Time is speeding by faster and faster the older I get. I look back on my life and search for periods of thankfulness – periods I can measure. But, like the majority of people, remembering those times of gratitude are like rifling through a junk drawer. I’m sure I am grateful, but as appreciation leaves my mouth, it seems to leave my cluttered mind, so I am unable to quantify it. How I admire (while being secretly annoyed) friends who seem to live each moment full of thankfulness. As praises flow from their lips to my ears, I ask myself – Why can’t I be that thankful all the time regardless of my circumstances? What makes it easy for my friend and so difficult for me? Am I not truly thankful?
The 21st psalm was written in third person by David when he was king. Imagine the choir singing this song in David’s presence. How thrilled he must have been as the powerful words of what the Lord had done for him caused him to reflect on his blessings and immersed his soul with gratefulness. It would have been almost impossible to forget to be thankful with the choir reminding him!
Read Psalms 21:1-13
Most of us don’t have a choir to sing songs about what we personally should be thankful for – we are responsible for remembering the things the Lord has done for us and for being filled with gratitude. Yet, sometimes, I have so much to keep track of that I often blurt out “Thank you Jesus” and then move on to the next pressing matter. Perhaps you are a little like me. Consider the following as ways to “remember” what the Lord has done in your life:
- Start a gratitude journal – either on paper or electronically. But just don’t write it in, read it – often.
- Review your day when you first get into bed. Look for blessings to be thankful for.
- Share your testimonies of what the Lord has done for you with individuals and groups.
- Share with a comment on this site any other ways you can maintain a heart of gratitude.
Lord, help us to remember all of the testimonies and all of the blessings You show us. Bring people into our path who need to hear our gratitude. Bind thankfulness to our hearts that we would live each day not forgetting to express it to You, our families, our friends and all those we come in contact with. We give You all the glory. In Jesus’ name, amen!