6 Ways to Be More Thankful

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As we approach Thanksgiving Day, I’m reminded that although it’s the season of thankfulness, truly I should be thankful every day.

Oh, don’t get me wrong! It’s hard most days for me. When I see the dishes start to stack in the sink or the laundry start to create mountains in random places, I tend to get disgruntled. I get tired of the endless piles of mess around the house contributed to by me, my husband, and my son. I sigh over picking up the same toys for the tenth time that day, or grumble over trying to figure out what to eat for lunch because I didn’t go to the grocery store yesterday.

Just yesterday I was doing these exact things. Sunday morning I cleaned up all the toys and mess on the floor and it felt so wonderful! Monday morning it looked the same as it had before I cleaned it. I admit, I got frustrated. But then, so sweetly, the Lord reminded me that my husband and I had prayed fervently for a year before we conceived our rambunctious, in-to-everything son. And I humbly repented. So often on this journey do I forget to look back and appreciate where I’ve come from to be where I am today.

And so I realize that I need to implement some strategies in my life to be more thankful! It’s so EASY to get into that mind frame of complaining, grumbling, and groaning over things we do or do not have control over.  But it’s HARD to make yourself see the good things of every day life. But it is POSSIBLE! Here’s a few suggestions to help you become more thankful during the day.

6 Practices That Will Encourage Thankfulness in Your Life

1. SPEND TIME WITH GOD.  Talk to the Lord immediately when you wake up.  As soon as you begin to stir and thoughts begin to run through your mind, begin to thank God for the day.  Get up and go to a quiet place, maybe a closet or spare room, and pray.  Pray for friends and family, church members, and yourself.  Beginning the day in prayer encourages you to keep your mind elevated on the good things. Truly set aside some time for the Lord. I’m the most productive during the mornings, so sometimes I wait to read my Bible until my son is napping. Find out what works for you, and then start working on making time with the Lord a habit!
2. IDENTIFY THINGS YOU ARE THANKFUL FOR.  As you begin to move around your home, look for things for which you can be thankful. All those dirty dishes? Thank you, Lord, for food that fills them! The piles of laundry scattered around the house? Thank you, Lord, for the bodies that wear them! Even better than just thinking on these things, write them down somewhere you can see them during the day. Create a board or special place with all the blessings or answered prayers in your life!
3. READ THE WORD OF GOD.  Spend time reading the Bible.  You’d be surprised how much better your day will go if you read a few encouraging or uplifting scriptures before you go to work or begin your day.  Some of my favorites?  Philippians 4:6-8. Ephesians 5: 19-20. Psalm 100.
4. SING SONGS OF THANKFULNESS.  I don’t know how many times putting in one of The Collingsworth Family or The Gaither Vocal Band CD’s has not only made time go by faster because I was belting it out with the best of them but made my mind focus on the joys of the Lord!  Dish and laundry mountains seem like harmless little hills when I get to singing songs to the Lord!
5. PRAISE HIM IN ALL THINGS.  Sometimes things or events happen that don’t seem good in any way, form, or fashion. However, the Bible says that even these things work together for our good (Romans 8:28).  
6. READ OR LISTEN TO UPLIFTING BOOKS ABOUT MOTHERHOOD. A friend recommended some Christian books about motherhood a few months ago. Since it’s hard for me to actually have time to sit and read during the day, I got the audiobook. And people, let me tell you! This book has helped me so much in my day-to-day grind that I no longer find myself stewing over the piles. I actually don’t mind (enjoy may be too strong a word haha) doing laundry and dishes anymore thanks to this book. The book is called Risen Motherhood, and I highly recommend it! I’ve listened to two audiobooks in about 2 weeks, and I am currently on my third. Look below to see the books and their audiobooks!

God’s goodness in our lives can be so very evident if we search for it.  I do not want to live my life griping and complaining at everything that God has blessed me with.  What if He took it all away?  What if one day I have no chores to do because I have no home?  I want to be thankful now! I’d love to hear how you stay thankful for all of the little things each day. Please comment and let me know!