Today’s guest blogger for the 30 Days of Thanksgiving is my friend, Katie.
She and her husband Gavin have been married for 7 years and have 4 kids. Katie enjoys connecting people, networking, and finding ways to help people accomplish their goals. In addition, she loves taking day trips with her family and exploring the “best” parts of cities. She blogs at Go Talk to Katie where she encourages women to pursue their dreams and passions without sacrificing their priorities. Ever the dreamer she is chipping away at her bucket list and doing lots and lots of laundry.
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4 Ways to Cultivate a Thankful Heart
“When I worry and cannot sleep…” these words open one of my favorite songs from the movie White Christmas. It is easy to be caught up in the stress of the holidays and not remember to be thankful, or count or blessings as the song suggests. Around this time of year, I get excited about all that is to come in the next few weeks. Soon enough the mom lists begin to form of all that needs to get done and will be added to my plate and how much work is ahead.
As a wife and mom, how I am “being” in our family is at the forefront of my mind. My heart attitude quickly spills out and affects my husband and kids, for better or for worse. With Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas approaching I invite you to join me as I intentionally work towards continuing our family theme to, “Be Thankful For What You Have”.
Here are 4 ways that we can cultivate a heart that is thankful for all that we have; not just over a meal with family but every day of the year.
Stewardship
By keeping my home free of clutter I am able to more effectively use and enjoy the things that we have. Being able to find and use the things I need enables me to have an undistracted mind. How can I be thankful for things that I don’t even know I have and are buried in the garage? Keeping my things crammed in drawers and closets and in piles on the floor does not reflect a heart that is thankful for what I have. The ease of organization helps my mind stay fresh and affords me time in my day to do the things that I enjoy.
Giving
Sharing what I have and that which we no longer need is always a blessing. Being generous models to my kids that we can joyfully and freely pass along what we have. All that we have belongs to the Lord and was given to us by Him, thinking of others and finding ways to meet tangible needs is one way we can consider others more important than ourselves. Thankfulness breeds thankfulness, having a giving spirit reflects that.
Journaling or Prayer
Naming specific things that you are thankful for, out loud with your family encourages and reminds everyone of all of the things the Lord has done for us, big and small. It reminds us that we are in a community and that as a family we are all in this together. The simplicity of a 2-year-old being thankful for a book and a daddy’s thankful heart for work provides needed perspective for all of us.
Music
A thankful heart overflows to songs that reflect the gratefulness and joy inside. Listed below are songs that I would encourage you to play in your home this month to help evaluate and pull thankfulness out of your heart.
- Come Thankful People Come
- You Are Good
- Now Thank We All Our God
- For The Beauty Of The Earth
- O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
- Great Is Thy Faithfulness
- Thank You My Lord
- Jesus Thank You
- Doxology
- We Gather Together
- Thanksgiving Song
- The Lord Is Good To Me
- Count our Blessings (Instead of Sheep)
Being thankful is a decision that whatever comes, rain or shine, that your heart will remain steadfast and joyful through it all. It is not easily won and is quickly forfeit for another. Choose today to be a beacon of thankfulness in your home and sphere of influence.
Thanks, Katie, for sharing with us today!
Other 30 Days of Thanksgiving Posts You Might Like
- Intro to 30 Days of Thanksgiving
- My Favorite Thanksgiving Books
- Thankful for Creation
- Gratitude Tree
Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim
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Originally published November 16, 2015.
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