As we approach Thanksgiving, many of you are planning which recipes you will use to delight your family on the big day. Since I don't cook, I will offer a recipe of another kind for us to consider. It's "A Gratitude Recipe" to help our hearts draw near to God and grow in thankfulness every day of the year.
A Gratitude Recipe
Ingredients
3 Cups of noticing the good things God is doing
2 tablespoons of pausing before reacting
3 heaping scoops of Scripture (Psalms recommended!)
7 Handfuls of honest prayers
A pinch of perspective
7 Cups of encouraging someone else
4 Generous scoops of remembering past faithfulness
Unlimited grace — offered freely by God
Optional add-ins
Laughter
Music that lifts your spirit
Talking to a friend who “gets you”
Noticing the beauty in God’s creation
Directions
1. Start with noticing.Take a few minutes every day to think about three things you're grateful for. They can be big things ("my job") or small things ("the way the sunlight hit my window this morning").
2. Mix in Scripture.Select a verse that centers your heart, maybe something like Psalm 136:1: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” Stir it into your thoughts throughout the day.
3. Fold in honest prayers.Tell God what’s hardandwhat's good. Gratitude grows best in honest conversations with him.
4. Sprinkle perspective.When frustrations show up (they always do), pause. Ask,“What’s one good thing here that you are teaching me?”or“Where might God be working behind the scenes?”
5. Add encouragement.Send a text. Hold a door. Pay a compliment. Gratitude grows when we share it with others.
6. Let it rest.Stay still for a while. Breathe deeply and allow your heart to settle. Gratitude takes time to rise.
7. Serve daily.Offer your “gratitude attitude” everywhere you go (work, school, home, church, the grocery store, etc.) The more you serve kindness, the more gratitude grows in you.Important Notes:This recipe works even on tough days. If your gratitude feels small, that’s okay. Keep stirring. God honors every effort, every pause, every whisper of thanks.
Prayer to Finish With: God, teach me the recipe of gratitude. Help me mix your truth with my daily life until thankfulness becomes the flavor of my heart. Amen.