Cultivating An Attitude Of Gratetude

It’s gratitude time of year again. 

It seems like every year when November rolls around, and Thanksgiving in the United States is upon us, we reflect more so on the things and people for whom or what we are grateful.

Let’s take a look at gratitude and attitude

Your Dictionary tells us that gratitude is a feeling of being thankful and appreciative. Synonyms include good wishes, acknowledgment, grace, recognition, thanksgiving, and appreciation.

Your Dictionary tells us that attitude means A manner of acting, feeling, or thinking that shows one’s disposition, opinion, etc. The position or posture assumed by the body in connection with an action, feeling, mood, etc. Some synonyms include approach, demeanor, frame of mind, disposition, and stance.

What does this time of year have to do with our increased feeling of gratitude?

I believe that Thanksgiving and Christmas time cause us to be intentional in our thinking. Motivating us to be more apt to Selah— Pause and reflect.

While we are busily hurrying during holiday preparations, we also slow down.

Wait— Busy, hurry, and slow at the same time?

Yes. We are busy with preparations, while at the same time, we slow down enough to embrace things.

Like

• Making memories
• Family traditions
• Thanksgiving meal— served family-style
• Togetherness
• Reflecting on blessings
• A bountiful harvest— Not only for the food you are having but also for what Christ has harvested within you.
• Being in the loving company of friends and family
• Too many cooks in the kitchen— to which I find this to be a special treat. Making things together and making memories
• Creating memories for our children and grandchildren
• Modeling gratitude and thankfulness for our children and grandchildren
• Stopping to smell the roses
• Thanking God

I try to show and feel gratitude throughout the year. I thank God for his blessings daily, but at times I have to admit that I don’t always reflect this outwardly and wear graciousness on my sleeve.

Father God, may you please guide me in practicing gratitude all year long. 

Selah my friends—Selah {pause&reflect}

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 NLT

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Colossians 3:15 NIV

Photo by Libby Penner on Unsplash