journal

Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!

Serve the LORD with gladness;

Come before His presence with singing.

Know that the LORD, He is God;

It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise.

Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting,

And His truth endures to all generations. (Psalm 100)

Surely goodness and mercy shall me follow all the days of my life. (Psalm 23:6)

We often neglect to tell those who matter most how much God blesses us through their lives. Our family relationships are richer when we express our gratitude to God for them and tell them so. Gratitude starts with humility, acknowledging that we enjoy blessings because of God’s mercies. 

A friend’s personally designed Christmas card read, 

“Thou hast given us so much. Give us one thing more…a grateful heart.”

Reflect on every person for whom you are grateful and for what you are grateful. Take out pen and paper, and share the overflow of your heart with your family. Your thanksgiving blessing will become a treasured legacy. 

  “Lord, make my heart a habitation where gratitude sings.”

These thoughts will get you started. 

Your own journal of gratitude will be longer and much more specific.

Father, from whom every family on earth is named, we give thanks...

    for time together as a family

    for our continuing love relationship with You through Jesus

    for our love relationship with each other

    for life, health, bright minds, and physical safety

    for food, clothing, a comfortable house, a clean bed

    for enjoying being together with laughter

    for the uniqueness of each one

    for the rock of strength that prayer is for us

    for faithful friends who encourage us by praying for our family

    for seeing God’s hand of grace at work in our lives as we experience more of Him

    for God’s plan for our lives and His enabling to keep us in His will each day

    for weaknesses through which God shows Himself strong in us

    for wisdom and guidance in daily circumstances

    for strength for daily demands of job and family

    for hope, peace, victory, satisfaction, and fulfillment

    for financial blessings

    for spiritual strength in spiritual battles

    for Your patience in the testing, struggles, and refining that we grow through

    for Jesus’ sufficiency for today’s grace

    for forgiveness received and forgiveness extended

    for hearts of obedience

    for more than we could ever deserve!

Thanks, family, for who you are and all you mean to me.

-sylvia gunter