Gratitude Journal - March 4, 2021 Today, I am grateful for forgiveness. Our ability to forgive others and be forgiven by others allows us to clear ourselves of past mistakes, learn from them, and move on. Being stuck in the errors of yesterday prevents us from growing and improving. Forgiveness is the only way to get unstuck. For this, I am grateful.
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32
Gratitude Journal - March 3, 2021 Today, I am grateful for the incoming spring season. While I know there are still cold days ahead, the longer daylight hours and warmer tempuratures are a positive indication that things are once again changing. Change brings new life and new opportunities. For this, I am grateful.
“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians 4:14-16
Gratitude Journal - March 2, 2021 Today, I am grateful for my home. In 2019 over 500,000 people in America experienced homelessness. Further, this number is, at best, a low estimate as counting the actual number of homeless is nearly impossible. Mental health issues, a lack of affordable housing, social problems, cultural difficulties, and economic hardships combine to make this problem a difficult one to solve. In America, we have made progress, but we need to do much more. I realize I am lucky to have a warm home to shelter and protect my family. For this, I am grateful.
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” Colossians 2:8
Gratitude Journal - March 1, 2021 Today, I am grateful for my daughter. She brings so much light and life to my day. I love her smile, her endless happiness, and her ability to giggle at my bad dad jokes. Happy Birthday Katie! Dad loves you today, tomorrow, and every day. For this, I am grateful.
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” Psalms 37:7
Gratitude Journal - February 28, 2021 Today, I am grateful for plentiful food. I realize that not everyone has the same access to delicious and plentiful food as I do. Many go to bed every night hungry. Hunger and malnutrition are a global problem that impacts all races, ages, and genders. Daily, more than 690 million people globally are left without enough to eat. For the simple fact that my family has enough to eat each day, I am grateful.
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14
Gratitude Journal - February 27, 2021 Today, I am grateful for mid-afternoon naps. Some days there is just nothing better than a nice quick nap. Naps can re-energize, re-focus, and revitalize our day. More importantly, naps can provide a much needed mental health break in the day. For this, I am grateful.
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8
Gratitude Journal - February 26, 2021 Today, I am grateful for noise-canceling headphones. The ability to block out the world around me, especially in the new work-from-home paradigm, is essential to not only my productivity but my sanity as well. Sometimes I need to focus on a task, and my headphones allow me to isolate my thoughts and concentrate uninterrupted. For this, I am grateful.
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
Gratitude Journal - February 25, 2021 Today, I am grateful for streaming music services. The ability to have almost any music you can think of - any genre, artist, album, or track - available at your fingertips is a fantastic innovation. I can always find something to match my mood or activity. Music is the ultimate communicator. It crosses boundaries, speaks to everyone, and can deliver a powerful message. For this, I am grateful.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6
Gratitude Journal - February 24, 2021 Today, I am grateful for the power of virtual meetings. While we are all growing tired of Zoom meetings day after day, and we all realize that online school for our children is no replacement for in-person classrooms, this technology has allowed us a sense of togetherness in a world of far-apart. For this, I am grateful.
“For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.” Psalms 48:14
Gratitude Journal - February 23, 2021 Today, I am grateful for plentiful and clean water for drinking, bathing, and simple hand washing. A 2019 report from the UN estimated that 2.2 billion people do not have safely-managed drinking water, 4.2 billion lack essential sanitation services, and 3 billion lack necessary handwashing stations. I have multiple taps throughout my house with a seemingly unlimited supply of clean, safe water. I can buy bottled water by the case at any grocery store. Not everyone is so lucky. For this, I am grateful.
Here are a few different resources that help provide clean water to communities around the world:
Consider donating today.
Reference: Billions globally lack ‘water, sanitation and hygiene’, new UN report spells out
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
