It’s that time of year again. Time to be grateful…and time to make a gratitude list.
Believe it or not, for the first half of my life, making a gratitude list wasn’t so easy.
It didn’t matter how many blessings I had, all I could focus on is was what I did NOT have. It wasn’t until my early thirties, that I began to see the world through a very different lens- the lens of gratitude.
I can’t pinpoint the exact day the change happened- but I can say- God certainly did a 180 in my heart! 😊
A few Thanksgivings ago, I began creating a gratitude list. I learned this simple but fun exercise from Max Lucado’s book, “Before Amen.”
It may seem cheesy, but once you get started, a momentum builds and you can’t stop thanking God for things you never even knew you were thankful for.
You can either make your own A through Z gratitude list (and compare lists with friends around you) or you can go around the table this Thanksgiving and give everyone a turn to say what they are thankful for- alphabetically!
From A to Z, give it try!
Here’s my 2022 gratitude list!
A- Anu. She’s my sister and the founder of this Whispers and Fringes Facebook page. Without her obedience, you wouldn’t be reading this!! Thanks sis!
B- Bread. I put it in the toaster, smother it with a light layer of peanut butter and it’s been my breakfast EVERY morning (for the past 10 years). I’m a creature of habit!
C- Caleb. My youngest son. He’s just the spice our family needed! His love for worship inspires me.
D- Daddy. I call him “Dawdy.” I’m grateful that he is also a creature of habit and sings the happy birthday song to me (off key) EVERY SINGLE YEAR- I love it!
E-Eggs. Easiest way to add protein to a dish and make a complete meal.
F- Friends. They make me who I am. Like Jesus, I believe everyone needs a Peter, James and John! I’m so grateful for my friends!
G- God. I’m thankful He doesn’t always give me what I ask for, He gives me what I need.
H- my husband, Sunil. I love coming home and he’s one of the three reasons why (see letters J&C to know the other two reasons). Grateful for him.
I- Indian food. I like to make it…and I love to eat it!
J- Joshua. My first born. His discipline inspires me.
K- Kent. He’s been my manager at work for over twenty years. Grateful for his humor and his kindness.
L- I love light! I’m thankful for a home with lots of windows and therefore lots of light.
M- my mama!! No one prays harder or loves me more than my mama.
N- no. It’s not easy to say, but saying no to some things frees me to do other things! We all need boundaries. Thankful for the word in the English language!
O- Olives. I love green olives on my pizza and a good olive spread on my sandwiches!
P- Prescriptions. They keep me employed!
Q- Quiet and peaceful days.
R- Roads. After a trip to Munnar in India…I’m beyond grateful for paved roads.
S- Straight irons! Have you seen my hair without one? 😬 Grateful we don’t have to use an actual iron anymore (see pic below). Thank you to whoever invented this!
T- toilet paper. No explanation needed.
U- umbrellas. They keep us dry!
V- Vacuums. Makes cleaning a home easier than picking up every piece of dirt by hand.
W- Water. Keeps our toilets flushing and our bodies hydrated!
X- X ray machines. How would we ever know if bones were broken? Grateful for whoever was smart enough to invent this.
Y- You. Our readers. I’m really surprised you’re still reading this. Thank you!
Z- I’m thankful when I hear names starting with z at graduations. It means the ceremony is almost over!!
1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Happy Thanksgiving!
~binu
