A Thankful Heart

Lately, I have been feeling an overwhelming sense of thankfulness. On the good days, I find so many things to be thankful for. On the not so good days, I may need to look a little harder, but when I do, I definitely find things to be thankful for.

The more I look for things to be thankful for, the easier it becomes to find something. I go through most days constantly thinking, whispering, or saying out loud, “thank you, Jesus!” Thank you Jesus for the pretty sky on my way to work in the morning. Thank you Jesus for petrol in our car. Thank you Jesus for my husband and my son. Thank you Jesus for Your grace. Basically, thank you Jesus for everything. It all comes from Him. It’s all thanks to Him.

I’ve found that the more I say thank you to Him, the more joy I feel, especially in tougher situations. Don’t get me wrong, I still get angry & frustrated at times. I have found though, that I can pull myself out of those gross feelings of anger & frustration, by choosing to be intentional and finding something to say thank you for. Sometimes, I only have the capacity for finding one thing to be thankful for. And then sometimes, I just need to think of 1 thing. And it takes on a snowball effect. It starts with saying thank you for one thing. And before I know it, I’m rattling off a list of things I am thankful for. Plus, I’m no longer feeling angry or frustrated. I still need to deal with whatever made me feel bad. But, my mind has been cleared. And I can work through it in a healthier, more mature way. It all starts with finding just one thing to say thank you to Jesus for.

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A post shared by Megan Keith (@megankeith085)

One thing about me – I love a good notebook. I have notebooks all over, for anything & everything. So, a few months ago, I chose the perfect notebook from my stock of pretty notebooks in various shapes and sizes. I have made this notebook, my “Thank You Jesus” notebook. I use this book to make a list of ten things that I am thankful for, from that day. I like to end my day by looking back over the day that was, and find ten things that made me feel thankful. My lists sometimes include specific people I may have encountered, God’s favour & provision over that day, sunshine, time with Noah & Jason, even things like coffee & podcasts! I include the small, seemingly insignificant things, as well as the most meaningful, spiritual things. Anything. I don’t do my list everyday. But I find, even on the days when I don’t get to actually writing out my list, I’m still constantly thinking of what I would write in my pretty notebook.

I choose thankfulness. Everyday. On the good days, when it is easy. And definitely on the tough days, when it is not so easy. I’ve found that the more I choose thankfulness, the happier I feel. The more peace I experience. The calmer I feel. Life is hectic, busy. There is always something happening, somewhere to go, something to do. My “Thank You Jesus” lists help me face my busy-ness, and get through it. My lists fill me with joy.

Thank you Jesus, for this little space on the internet. Thank you for the ability to write & share. Thank you for Your joy & peace. And thank you Jesus, for pretty notebooks!