Welcome to the One Word at a Time Blog Carnival on Gratitude.
We’re so glad you’ve stopped by!
Please add your link to the widget below**… then enjoy what others have written as well.
Upcoming dates/words:
Nov 30 – Fellowship
Dec 14 – Rejoice
Dec 28 – Reflection
**After you add your info, please refresh the page. If your post doesn’t show up, please try again. Make sure your email is provided and verify your link. If it still doesn’t work, send me an email or DM with your info.
One Word at a Time…Gratitude
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” ~ William Arthur Ward
As the leaves are turning beautiful shades of red, orange, and brown… and the temperature is steadily dropping… it’s obvious fall is here. We all know that means the holidays are just around the corner.
As I reminisce, I envision sitting around the table at Thanksgiving, my mom asking each of us to say something we were thankful or grateful for.
I used to always answer… my family and friends. I didn’t give it much thought really… it just made sense to be thankful for those things, and it was true.
I had great parents, a roof over my head… and when times were tight, my mom and dad made many sacrifices to ensure we didn’t go without.
The sad thing is I took it all for granted. I don’t think I even realized how much I had to be thankful for. It’s the same way with kids today… most of them want for nothing, and don’t realize how incredibly fortunate they are.
Even now, I often forget to count my many blessings. I tend to think about all the stress and worry in my life… forgetting to be grateful for so much.
I wanted to take a minute and show my gratitude… and pray I continue to praise God during the bad times… as well as the good.
Lord, I’m sorry I don’t always say thank you. I know that I’m quick to pray and ask for help when I need it… but when my prayers are answered, I don’t always show gratitude as I should.
I want to thank you for my family. For parents who love me and took wonderful care of me… and continue to make me feel special and appreciated.
For a husband who puts up with and loves me… even when I don’t make it easy.
For children who make me proud, and who teach me daily what it means to love unconditionally … even on the days I’d like to muzzle them.
For in-laws who accept me… the good, bad, and ugly.
For a wonderful home… even though I sometimes worry how we’ll pay the mortgage.
For a warm and comfy bed… even on the days all the bedding needs washed.
For food on the table… even though I often feel too tired to cook it.
For my extremely fulfilling job… even when I fall down and get bruised… or worry about budget cuts and layoffs.
For living in a country where I can praise you without fear of death… or worse.
Please help me not to take these blessings for granted… and to praise you in all circumstances. In Jesus’ name… Amen.
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:16-17
{ 12 trackbacks }
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
What perfect timing that this word came up. My wife and I have really been struggling with the burden of support-raising, and just on Sunday went through Habakkuk. Stumbled across a verse that basically said, even though nothing is going right, and it looks really bleak, I will rejoice in the Lord (significantly paraphrased version of Habakkuk 3:17-18).
Be thankful for every breath that you take! Because it’s all a gift from God!
Fantastic opening quote! I’d say exactly the same about love.
Beautiful testimony to God today, Bridget.
I echo your post, and can remember that as a child we were poor, but we never knew it because our parents never told us. We had simple food and a few clean clothes, and a house and a bed to sleep in. We took everything else for granted and perhaps even God. Now we realize that every day is a gift and daily praise and thank you to the Lord is necessary!
Gratitutde for all the things, large and small, that he gives us; all the things we want but he doesn’t give us; and all the love he showers upon us.
Thanks for sponsoring the carnival, Bridget.
You’re so right–unexpressed gratitude is wasted. Reminds me of something JFK said: We express our gratitude, not with our words, but with our actions.
And I’m thankful for what you do to make the carnival happen.
It’s so easy to take our blessings for granted. I’m glad we’re pausing to remember to be grateful instead. From the heart. Thanks for sharing your thanksgiving with us; it makes me more thankful for those blessings, too.
yes and yes! I love that quote at the beginning and agree that we need share and express the gratitude in our hearts. So important! Thanks Bridget.
The sense of the joy to be found in the giving is strong here.
Thank you for hosting again.
Love the quote. Love the lyrics. Grateful for you.
Love you, Bridget. Great post. I am truly thankful for you!
I have taken a small step for spreading love & expressing gratitude with: http://www.powerofthanks.com
Please visit & submit your thanks to all those who have touched your lives and lets build a strong community.
Life is too short and there is a never a right time to say “Thanks, You are amazing”