Thankful heart

This morning I was driving home in the fog from taking my kids to school. I had hot coffee in my hand and Christmas music playing on the stereo. Yes I know it's only October... I can't help myself. As I was driving I started feeling nostalgic. Something about the foggy autumn morning, a warm drink in my favorite mug and the music made me think about just how blessed my life is. Nostalgia left me grateful, thankful and feeling blessed.

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving, go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name". Psalm 100:4

Thankfulness goes hand in hand with praise; it is the bookend to living a life of worship. I asked myself this morning what would my days look like if I started and ended them with thanksgiving. Regardless of circumstances, regardless of situation, Praise... before the breakthrough. 

It is so easy to take the things in our life for granted instead of approaching them through the lens of a grateful heart. To be honest it's not often a day goes by that I don't think about the battles I have fought in my health. A song, a word, a simple question from a friend, something my kids say or do and I am reminded how miraculously Jesus saved my life. I often stop in those moments and give thanks for all God has done, yet there are still days I easily slip into routine and forget to acknowledge the blessed life I live. I have such a faithful loving Father who has so graciously supplied all of my needs and many of my wants. Why? Simply because he loves me. That's all, no motivation other than love and connection. His heart toward me holds the utmost purity. That alone is cause for thankfulness.
So as we quickly approach the Thanksgiving season, I challenge all of us (myself included) to spend time every morning and every evening cultivating a thankful heart. Take a step back, look at your life, find the many blessings, acknowledge them by giving thanks to the people around you and to the Father. I know it will change the atmosphere that surrounds your day.

My Tribe; I'm unbelievably thankful for them