Yesterday afternoon I was sitting at a red light (multi-tasking, of course). I glanced up from my book to see this license plate staring back at me: THKFUL. I laughed out loud. What a perfect reminder of our focus on choosing gratitude!
I wondered at the story behind that expression of gratitude. Did the owner need a daily reminder? Was it a reflection of his daily demeanor? Or was the intended audience those passing by—perhaps even those growing impatient while waiting at a red light?
Regardless of the intent, that license plate has lived on in my memory this week. It was such a unique expression of gratitude; an expression that has caused me to reflect again and again on the condition of my own heart. Am I truly becoming a more grateful woman? Am I living close enough to the cross that gratitude increasingly becomes my natural response–regardless of the circumstances? Am I in the habit of expressing gratitude to the Lord and to others? Am I asking the Lord to show me unique ways of conveying my gratitude to those who have blessed me?
As Nancy says in Choosing Gratitude, “Gratitude is not the quiet game. It begs to be expressed, both to God and to others. ‘Silent gratitude,’ Galdys Berthe Stern said, ‘isn’t much use to anyone.’” In light of that, I thought we would dedicate this blog to sharing our own unique expressions of gratitude. We would love to hear the creative ways you or someone you know has expressed gratitude to family members, friends, and those in your church or community.
How have you celebrated special markers or moments in life? What “excuses” have you used for calling a special “thanks-giving” celebration? In what ways have you made gratefulness a daily expression to God and to others? How are you cultivating a grateful heart in your own life, your family, or the women in your church?
"Gratitude is born in hearts that take time to count up past mercies.” We pray you will be challenged and inspired by each other’s unique expressions of gratitude!
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