JOURNALING YOUR GRATITUDE
Journaling Your Gratitude
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind. And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices, and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.
-Psalm 107:21-22 NRSV
I don't know what your life is like today, whether you would say you are in the best days or the most difficult days-or perhaps, like me, a mixture of both. I want to suggest that you start keeping a gratitude journal, which is obviously a great thing to do and something that can greatly enrich your prayer life. Rather, this is just to write down all the things you are grateful for. Our prayer journals reflect our requests, but our gratitude journals can contain how God has answered our prayers or simply be a gateway to wonder and worship. I find it very helpful to use my gratitude journal in prayer. It gives me a written account of faithfulness and goodness of God.
You might think if you add one more thing to your to-do list, it will push you over the edge and you'll be calling me for the number to the wee place with locks on the windows! Relax, this is not a major undertaking. Just keep any journal by the bed, and each night jot down three things you are grateful for. It's just a way to refocus away from all the stuff that isn't working and thank God for what is.
-SHEILA WALSH (Get Off Your Knees and Pray)