“just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28
Gratitude Journal - February 18, 2021 Today, I am grateful my favorite chair. I have a chair in my living room that I love to sit in. It’s next to the fireplace, reclines nicely, and fits me well. On a cold day, I can start a fire, sit down, and relax. The chair isn’t really fancy or anything, it’s not leather, doesn’t rock or glide, but it suits me well. For this, I am grateful.
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:1-5
Gratitude Journal - February 17, 2021 Today, I am grateful for no longer having a daily commute. While I miss the daily interaction with my coworkers, I do not miss the added time it took to get to the office and back home every day. The time I save has gone into more family time and more time focused on health and fitness. For this, I am grateful.
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” Psalms 40:1-2
Gratitude Journal - February 16, 2021 Today, I am grateful for our elementary, middle school, and high school teachers. Teaching through this pandemic has been a challenging and difficult transition with many unknowns. I’m grateful that our teachers have attacked this with a positive attitude, putting our kids education first. For this, I am grateful.
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalms 42:5
Gratitude Journal - February 15, 2021 Today, I am grateful for the flexibility I have at work. My employer makes it possible for me to do the things I need to do while still being efficient and effective at work. This flexibility allows me to be the best employee, father, husband, and person I can be. For this, I am grateful.
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Romans 15:4
Gratitude Journal - February 14, 2021 Today, on Valentine’s Day, I am grateful for my wife. Like any married couple, we have had our ups and downs, but we have never given up. We have never quit. We both continue to work to be the best we can be and serve the other with unfailing love. For this, I am grateful.
“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” Proverbs 22:7
Gratitude Journal - February 13, 2021 Today, I am grateful that my whole family is home and safe. I am lucky to have a warm home filled with laughter and love. For this, I am grateful.
“My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.” Proverbs 4:20-22
Gratitude Journal - February 12, 2021 Today, I am grateful for resilience. The ability to face challenges and fight back time and time again is a superpower. Staying positive in difficult times allows you to be a light for those around you who are also struggling and ensures you come out the other side healthy. For this, I am grateful.
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20
Gratitude Journal - February 11, 2021 Today, I am grateful for my amazing, supportive, and positive coworkers. Having a team of excellent people that support you both in your professional and personal endeavors is empowering and humbling. There are good people out there, and I’m lucky enough to work with a bunch of them. For this, I am grateful.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” - Galatians 6:9
Gratitude Journal - February 10, 2021 Today, I am grateful for family meals every evening. Sitting at the dinner table and finding out about the days events is a great way to close out the day. For this, I am grateful.
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” Luke 12:25
We all have lots of things that cause us distress, that cause us to worry. Money, kids, work, school, life in general. All of these and more can cause our hearts and minds to rush in to a tailspin, distracting us from the positive things that happen every day. Put your faith in God and stop the worry. Give it all up.
Gratitude Journal - February 9, 2021 Today, I am grateful for the fact that in the United States of America, we each have the freedom to choose the direction of our lives. That direction is not bound by any rules or regulations. We can choose to be a successful business owner, to beg for change on the street corner, or to live a life far removed from society. We get to choose and that freedom makes all the difference. For this, I am grateful.
