A Practice that Protects the Heart

Thanksgiving is here.

As we head into Thanksgiving week, I want to share a years-long practice that has protected my mental health and contributed greatly to the preservation of my spiritual life. This practice helps me see God’s goodness even when the swirl of life is particularly complicated, chaotic, or weighty.

Keep track of God’s gifts.

I keep a thank you journal. Don’t let the word “journal” conjure up thoughts of writing for an hour. Every day I take a few minutes to jot down a list of good things that happened, usually two or three things in bullet-list form. Every Sunday, I read the entire week’s list as review. Using this method, one journal lasts two or three years. I never cease to be amazed of all the good things I have already forgotten from less than one week ago. I always end a week’s review with a soaring heart of thanks.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:7)

Slow life down.

It is so easy to miss God’s goodness in the speed of life. All too often, we are headed onto the next thing without processing the goodness of the moment we just lived that is now gone forever. In a way, it terrifies me to think of all the good that never registers in my consciousness because I am rushed,, robbing me of a heart of gratitude and good cheer,  More importantly, God is robbed of thanks. Even writing this weekly blog forces me to slow down enough to reflect and consider the ways of God. This weekly practice keeps my mind fixed on things above, not on things on earth (Colossians 3:2). Any routine that causes us to pause long enough to look up is valuable.

Let’s slow down this Thanksgiving week.

There are many ideas. Pick one!

• Start a thank you journal. If you already have one, sit for a while and review 2024 so far.
• Linger at the Thanksgiving table. Have people share what they are thankful for.
• Make paper “turkey hands.” Have people write what they are thankful for on each finger. (A young person can be put in charge of this project. Just have construction paper and scissors on hand — no pun intended.)
• Scroll through your contact list and thank some people for being your friend. As you text, pause and thank God for each one.

You share an idea!

What do you do to slow down and nurture a thankful heart? Share in the comments.

Let’s not rush through the week.

We are not freight trains. We are people.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Picture Explanation: From my house to yours.

Speaking of living a short life with God in mind: If you want to join the next online One Gritty Blink Bible study, click on the Oaks Ministries link in the copyright line. Check out the study in the One Gritty Blink tab, then send me an email in the Contact tab so I can place you on a list to be contacted for a future study! Let’s not just focus on things in this short life, but also what counts for eternity.

Note: No part of my posts are derived from A.I. Thoughts and writing stem from my mind and heart as I process life week-by-week and continue to grow in my understanding of God and how to apply His wisdom to the world around me.