Brave Day #19: Gratitude

Being thankful changes us.  And change takes bravery because we come out different than when we started!  Over the years, the practice of seeing God in everyday things and thanking Him for that has changed my life ...

It started many years ago when I first read Change My Anxious Heart and was challenged to avoid complaining by making a thankful list.  And I have many thankful lists in prayer journals, on calendars, in notebooks ... and it has become the FIRST part of my prayer time because it subtly shifts my focus from ME to HIM.

Most recently, I was challenged as I read One Thousand Gifts and have been listing gifts here (and in my prayer journal) for the past many months.  It helps me face the challenges of the day as I see God more clearly.  It helps me be gratful for all He has given and often helps change my perspective regarding what I THINK I am missing.

Yesterday, my friend Erin challenged Dutch and I to join her in Project Thankful.

Erin writes:
The Lord has been teaching me a lot about gratitude and how it really does change everything ...starting with my perspective on life. It began last October when I was inspired to do a little exercise I named Project Thankful, writing a thank you note each day of November to someone who has impacted my life. The learnings for me continued through the spring and into the summer as I read One Thousand Gifts. There is something about gratitude that is radically transforming to one's self!

I was jealous of Gini's 31 Days of Encouragement ... now I cannot wait to start on my own.

Being grateful means we can cease our complaining because we see all we HAVE.  Being grateful frees us to give to others because we no longer are seeking just our own good.  Being grateful helps us refocus to see God more clearly.  It means we see Him in the everyday.  It means we slow our pace.  It means we drink Him in.  It means we change.  And change takes being brave!  Very, very brave!

So, let me get back to listing gifts:
662. dark, drizzly, COLD day
663. pumpkins
664. salted caramel hot chocolate
665. being thanked
666. bright colored leaves
667. rain on the roof
668. chili
669. finding a soul who understands your fears
670. church suppers :-)  (been a long time!)
671. jack-o-lanterns
672. fresh apples
673. sitting around the dinner table with sweet friends
674. singing happy birthday
675. ihop for dinner
676. going to church in the Y
677. leaving a 2L diet coke for Elissa because she will love it
678. the privilege of praying for friends
679. watching Wells grin at her Mama
680. holding sweet Evangeline
681. adoption
682. lunches with Lindzey
683. handmade gifts
684. showers
685. baking
686. the smell of mowed grass
687. flannel sheets
688. pj pants
689. hoodies
690. sleeping with the windows open
691. meeting new friends
692. reconnecting with old friends
693. the way I feel after a good run
694. meeting goals
695. pumpkin muffins with Steph
696. freshly washed towels
697. candy corn with peanuts
698. leaves on the sidewalk
699. state and county fairs!
700. wrapping up in a blanket