Thanksgiving Challenge
We’ve spent the month of November talking about our experiences this last year in our journey of Thanksgiving. For a little over a year now, Peni and I have been sharing three things daily that we are grateful for with each other. We talked about the change it’s made in our lives in continuing to grow and build an attitude of gratitude, the ease with which we can be grateful for big things, and the hard days, we when have to dig deep to be grateful. We’ve shared the challenges of the journey, the days that don’t quite go as planned, the busy times when day or even a whole week get lost. And then we shared the unexpected benefits we discovered along the way. Continuous connection to each other, when life, distance and COVID make regular visits difficult, if not impossible. The little insights that maybe wouldn’t make a “prayer request” message, and yet, cause us to stop and pray. The connection and understanding that a simple statement of thanks brings, and also the understanding of a day of silence. As we move out of the month of Thanksgiving and into the Christmas season we’d like to invite you into the next season with us. Make it your own, do it alone or find a friend to share it with (I personally am a big fan of the shared journey). Make it a journal exercise, or a short list. Put it in a shared note, a text message, a phone call or an email. There are so many ways technology can be our friend in this, but no matter what method you choose, just start.
Below, our final words of wisdom, experience and advice as you start your journey.
Peni
Investigate your history….what have successful habit changes looked like in the past. Post-it notes on the mirror, alarms on your phone, a journal and pen sitting somewhere prominent.
Extend grace to yourself if there are many start/stops.
Start with someone else where grace and encouragement flow freely between you.
As much as we’d all like to be as eloquent as David most of us aren’t. Don’t limit your praises/thankfuls. I am grateful for seasoning and hot sauce when a meal is bland?
From simple to complex is good. Some days are paragraphs of gratefulness. Some days are a struggle to think of anything and thankfulness for a working water heater so I can take a hot shower is my praise.
Why does it matter?
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. – Philippians 4:8
Andschana
Just Start – There is no perfect time, place or circumstance.
Partner with someone who will show you grace when you forget but will also hold you accountable and call you back.
There is no “right” answer and therefore no “wrong” one. Be grateful for the big things, but also the little things, this weekend I was grateful for the opportunity to watch a Christmas movie.
Much like our suggestions here, no two people think and write alike. I tend to be wordy, Peni is direct. Your list can be phrases, sentences or whole paragraphs, whatever you need.
Make sure you read the others’ posts and your own. I’ve learned so much about her life and gained perspective on mine, rereading.
Talk to God about it. I hate to admit it, but there are days I made the gratitude list and never actually thanked God, maybe more days than I’d like to admit.
Don’t quit. If you miss a day, a week, or even a month, just pick up and keep going. You can back fill if you can but if it’s simply been too long, or it feels overwhelming, just pick up and move forward. Don’t Quit.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18