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Before the glittery chaos of December, November invites us to slow down and embrace a posture of gratitude. Hustle, comparison and busyness so often dominate our minds, but what if a little intentionality could put gratitude back at the forefront?
On The Do Gooders Podcast, Chris Anderson, CEO of TED, put it this way, “A good thing about gratitude is that you can, if you take a moment to stop sleepwalking through the day and just think for a minute and look around, you can find so many things to be grateful for.”
Every day leading up to Thanksgiving, we invite you to read the prompts, look around and reflect on your blessings.
- God’s love
Everything God created—from the breath in our lungs to the color of fall leaves—exists because of his love. Scripture tells us: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights (James 1:17). - Loving community
Who is in your corner? Maybe it’s your Bible study, your siblings, your spouse or your book club. Relationships like these make life rich, vibrant and joyful in good seasons and provide crucial support in bad seasons. - Dreams and goals
You have big ideas—for your personal life, your career and your community. These dreams are a gift. They create a roadmap for your life, helping you pursue the things that matter the most. - Ability to give
Whether you can give time, money, expertise or old furniture, it is a privilege to bless others. Plus, giving is good for you! According to a study from the University of British Columbia, generosity correlates with lower blood pressure and higher quality of life. - God’s faithfulness
God will always keep his promises and stand by his people. Scripture says: “The Lord your God [goes] with you. He will not leave you or forsake you” (Deut. 31:6). - Beauty of nature
Stars, trees, birds, sunshine—God created everything in this world to reflect his glory (Ps. 19:1). Every stunning mountaintop is a blessing from him. - Good books
Books inspire us, help us develop empathy and ignite our curiosity. What stories have changed your life for the better? - Inner peace
Jesus told his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). Jesus gave us a supernatural peace, and circumstances cannot take it away. - Assurance of salvation
Followers of Jesus don’t need to worry about the state of their souls. He said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:28). - Cozy mornings
Thank God for cups of coffee and warm blankets! - Time to rest
Every truly restful moment is a blessing, whether it’s the first sip of coffee before everyone else wakes up, time in prayer before going to sleep or just a deep breath. - Health
Our physical bodies may have imperfections, but they carry us through life’s growing pains and allow us to experience the world. - Hope for tomorrow
Every day offers another chance to live well, pursue goodness and choose a new path. Every day offers a new opportunity for hope. - God’s omniscience
Psalm 147:5 tells us God’s understanding has no limit. He knows us fully. He sees our heartbreak and our regret. He knows our deepest desires and fears. We don’t need to hide from him. - God’s plan for redemption
Scripture says: God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8). God redeemed our brokenness and invites us into a new life, all through Jesus’s death and resurrection. - Songs that make you want to dance
Are there any songs you always play until the end before getting out of the car? Or a song that inspires you to dance in the kitchen? There is so much joy in a good soundtrack. - Family recipes
It’s such a blessing to read your grandmother’s handwriting and taste her famous cinnamon rolls (or cookies, or pasta sauce, or tamales)! - God’s Word
God doesn’t leave us to guess who he is or how we should relate to him. Instead, he gave us the Bible so we can know his heart, learn to live well and stand firm in the truth. - Meaningful experiences
Thank God for those memories you’ll always treasure and the experiences that shaped your identity. - The ability to choose
Everyone has the gift of free will. From what to eat for breakfast to what character traits to develop, you can choose. You have the opportunity to create a life you can be proud of. - Basic necessities
Things you can’t live without—food, shelter, clean water and medicine—are still blessings from God. - Joy in Christ
Even in our hardest seasons, we can find joy in our relationship with God. Jesus said, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11). - God’s provision
Jesus said, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matt. 6:26). We can rely on God to provide for us. - Laughter
Does anything feel better than laughing with friends? - The Holy Spirit
Jesus described the Holy Spirit as a gift. He said, “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). Not only do we have God’s Word to guide us, but his actual Spirit lives within us. - Time with family
Whether you spend the holidays with the family you were born into or the family you chose, enjoy the moments spent with loved ones. - Countless little blessings
Today, notice how food tastes, the sun sets and love feels. There are endless reasons for gratitude.
Do Good:
- Change how you think, feel…and act.
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