Are you feeling grateful?

What about when there’s snow on the ground and it messes up your plans?

What about when you’ve been working like crazy, putting in extra time, and someone else gets the promotion?

What about when your head hurts, your family is counting on you, and all you want to do is collapse?

 

Giving thanks with a grateful heart is much easier when the sky is blue, the sun is shining, and you’re comfortably sipping your lemonade at the pool on a perfect 75 degree day.

Giving thanks with a grateful heart is much easier when everyone notices your hard work and you get an unexpected raise.

Giving thanks with a grateful heart is so much easier when you’re feeling great, you have the day to yourself, and you can do whatever your heart desires.

 

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Celebrate always, pray constantly, and
give thanks to God no matter what circumstances you find yourself in.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18a, The Voice

 

I like the “celebrate always” part.

I need to “pray constantly” because I don’t do enough of it.

But, “give thanks to God no matter what circumstances you find yourself in.”  [sigh]

Maybe you have this whole giving thanks with a grateful heart thing figured out.

I am still working on it.

 

Giving Thanks with a Thankful Heart :: JoyDay! :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

God has been good to me and I have been blessed beyond imagination more times than I could ever count.

During the times of ease and blessing, you and I need to be constantly celebrating what God has done in our lives.  Even more than giving thanks….celebrating.  Have you done any celebrating lately?  Have you had a special dinner to celebrate ___________?  Have you texted a friend to share your blessings?

 

It’s what comes next in this verse that most of us find a little challenging.

“Give thanks to God no matter what circumstances you find yourself in.”

Did your dryer quit?  Give thanks to God.

No, I don’t think you need to thank him for the derelict dryer.

Thank him because he is God, because he will give you wisdom to know what to do.

Plus, it surely is the time to pray constantly. [wink] Though, you need to listen too.  He might lead you to ask him to make your dryer work.  Yes…I have prayed that prayer.  And my dryer started working…on more than one occassion.

The point is, no matter the circumstances, we can always give thanks to God.  We can thank him for the promise that he will never leave us.  That he loves us with an everlasting love.  That every spiritual blessing is ours in Christ Jesus.  That he is faithful and trustworthy.  That he is our provider, our healer, and our rescuer.  That he redeems, restores,  and renews.  That he is our strength, our shield, our safe place.  And so on.   Giving thanks with a grateful heart, is always something we can do because we know our loving, caring, heavenly father is always with us.

 

 

JoyDay! :: Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart ::  AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

It’s Joy Day!

The day when we take time to count ‘seven.’  Seven things we are grateful for from the past week….the good and the not-so-good.  We take time to list them here.

I’ll start!

I’m grateful for…

  1. losing power on Sunday night and playing games by candlelight.
  2. fresh, clean, running water…which we did not have when the power was out.
  3. knowing God is trustworthy to provide for our needs.
  4. the most views on the blog in a single day, ever!
  5. being able to serve my friend.
  6. a husband that makes delicious blueberry banana pancakes.
  7. the most glorious sunrises each morning.

Okay…it’s YOUR turn!!

Scroll down to the comment section…Share Your Extraordinary Thoughts….and list your ‘seven.’  I can guarantee it will change how you see the world around you.  It really does make a difference.

Want even more joy?  Take the Joy Dare here.

 

Thank you for stopping by today.
I appreciate you and your sweet comments make my day.

Joyfully,

Diane

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Sharing with these extraordinary spots:
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Comments

  1. Glenda Kremer says

    your post about praying for broken dryer reminded me of a recent time when my mom got locked out of her house –again. I called her pastor who lives closer and who I had given a key to and who could get there before we did! when we arrived his key would not work, my key would not work so we wanted to try the front door but he said they had tried and the storm door was locked. they had both tried opening it. so I prayed for the Lord to help open the door. I went to the front door and it opened! Pastor came over and said “it must have been your prayer!” God is so awesome!!!!
    glenda

    • Diane says

      Glenda…Don’t you think that God just loves these scenarios? How fun is it to bless us for our trust in him for the simplest things of life.
      God is Awesome!!

      May your week is filled with JOY!!

  2. Mel says

    I am very clear that I,do,NOT always know what’s best for me. That,does not, however, stop me from determining something to be “good” or “bad” and feeling kinda silly after the fact.
    The praying constantly and being still enough to actuslly LISTEN…another place I need practice on. But, like you, I am graced a million times over anyway….just cuz…

    My joys:
    * the mega blok giraffe the 4 year old made me. 🙂
    * an AWESOME gluten free cupcake…..yummmm
    * the gorgeous full moon rising
    * the smell of apple pie baking (even if I can’t indulge, the smell is wonderful!)
    * enjoying the eagles company in the morning
    * the thin covering of ice on the pond
    * physical therapists that explain themselves in plain english

    • Diane says

      Being still to actually listen. Yeah. I know about that one too well. Which is probably why I make mention of it. [wink]
      Oh Mel, I do celebrate your joys. Truly good stuff. God is amazing in his generous blessings. 🙂
      Um…just wondering? Can you eat the apple filling? I hope so. How about a crustless apple pie? I think that would be good. Of course…maybe that’s just baked apples…which I served at supper a few weeks ago. 😉

  3. Gwen says

    Blessings of Joy Day
    1, we got to all be together at my sisters and see Mom and siblings and my youngest rode with us!! Mom looked beautiful too!!! The drive was gorgeous and the coastal range filled with vineyards was pretty even with crunchy fallen leaves!
    2. Understanding husband
    3. Prayer
    4. Water
    5. A bed to rest upon
    6. Sunshine–so clear
    7. A child I babysat is doing well and called to say so–now 47!!!
    8. My friends church was doing the Samaritan Purse Operation Christmas Child so she got my plastic boxes and took me shopping a while back for items. I’m glad for there has been no time all week!
    I prayed over these children to know Jesus and that these boxes help them learn about Jesus and Salvation
    9. Oh I just have to repeat. I got to see Mom! We took photos!! Such a pleasant nice day!!!

    • Diane says

      Gwen, I rejoice with you in your ‘nine!’ I love your joyful heart. You have blessed me in the sharing of your blessings, my sweet friend. I can’t wait to hear all the good things God does in your life this next week. 🙂 Praying for you!

  4. Suzi says

    Yum, a blueberry pancake-making husband is certainly something to be thankful for 🙂 seven things from my week are 1. That my husband and son had good work all week. 2. That we live in a country where good medical care is available. 3. That my surgery is over and now recuperating. 4. For the prayers/phone calls/texts/emails from our pastor and church family. 5. For friends and family providing delicious meals. 6. For the luxury of an ipad! 7. For wonderful, beautiful, inspiring faith-filled blogs to keep me company! & 1 extra…a girlfriend who would take over 50 pieces of ironing home and do it for me!! God bless you and your readers for sharing the right perspective

    • Diane says

      Suzi…you are a joy on JoyDay!
      Thank you for sharing your ‘seven.’ I rejoice with you at the goodness of God in your life this week with so many delightful blessings.
      May your week be filled with Joy & Thanksgiving!

  5. Debbi Saunders says

    1. An Attorney who is “a man of faith”.
    2. Week long “confirmations” to a prayer for a sign of his will about my situation.
    3. Rejoicing in the accomplishments of a struggling first grader on his reading test!!
    4. An encouraging text from a dear friend.
    5. A feeling of peace and joy even in the midst of the Very challenging situation I am presently in!
    6. For answered healing prayer for 2 people on my prayer list. Awsome!
    7. That I am able to donate to several different organization who will be helping those in need this Thanksgiving.

    • Diane says

      Dear Debbi…Thank you so much for sharing your ‘seven.’
      I rejoice with you in having a ‘man of faith’ for your attorney, for God’s ‘confirmations’ and encouragements through friends, and for the peace you have…which I have been praying for. 🙂 And…I love how God is using your faith and faithfulness to touch the lives of others. He is good!

      May your week overflow with His JOY!! [hugs]

  6. Carolyn says

    Diane, I’m grateful for:
    1. A son-in-law who helped to fix our dryer that went on the fritz. There was a wire burnt through, so….
    2. That nothing caught fire!
    3. That we enjoy God’s protection all the time, even when we haven’t got a clue there could be problems.
    4. My little 10-mo-old granddaughter who reaches for her grandma…& her grandpa too.
    5. That our son & daughter-in-law had a good missions service today (they’re raising funds to go to S. Amer)
    6. That my brother-in-law is a little better today.
    7. That my husband wants me to accompany him wherever he goes.

    • Diane says

      I rejoice with you Carolyn at God’s protection on your dryer and your home. 🙂 That is so scary. 🙂
      Thanks for taking time to share your ‘seven’ Carolyn. 🙂
      May your week be filled with God’s joy moments. [hugs]

  7. Beth says

    I’m grateful for how God meets me each morning as I read His word and pray. This is a great exercise, Diane. I’m going to keep gratefulness in my thoughts and prayers throughout this day!

    • Diane says

      Oh yes, Beth…that time in the morning is simply the sweetest.
      Thank you for popping over. May your week overflow with gratitude and HIS JOY!!

  8. I am gathering my gratitude along with you at Ann’s place. So glad to visit here.

    • Diane says

      Elizabeth, I am so grateful for Ann and her book. It really was life-changing for me.
      Thank you for stopping by…it’s a pleasure to meet you!

      Wishing you and yours a joyful and blessed Thanksgiving!!

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