Living thankful
Sounds easy—a prayer before your meal, a “#blessed” tag on social media, a bumper sticker, a t-shirt, or a thankful post a day during November. When done with a reflective heart, these point to gratefulness. Living in thankfulness day in and day out is most often another matter.
Living thankful reflects Jesus
“He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘This is my body, which is given for you’” (Luke 22:19).
The grace that Christ-followers have received through salvation paves the way for a life of gratitude. In small and practical ways, living a thankful life requires being intentional.
A list
Keep a gratitude list. Not for public posting but rather for allowing God to teach the value of His economy. The usual items will start the list: salvation, family, friends, and health, but soon, the list will grow. Basics like clean water, a warm place to rest at night, clothes, spiritual gifts, and grace. Names of those in your life who are not yet Christ-followers. Maturity brings a thankful heart for the most difficult trials life brings, along with the understanding of God’s nearness.
A letter
A college mentor encouraged me to write a letter of thanks each year on Thanksgiving. A letter of thankfulness for the impact the recipient has had on our life. The letter is designed to be a blessing, but each time I have written, a ripple effect has taken place. The activity reminded me of so many means of thankfulness.
A prayer
Use the list of gratitude that you write as a catalyst for your prayer life. Our hearts are softened when we begin thanking God for all the evidence in our lives. Not only the blessings but also the challenges, even the trials. James tells us to count it all joy when we face trials, praying prayers of thankfulness through trials, which grows deep roots of faith (James 1).
An action
Turn your gratitude into action. Better yet, find a way to do so anonymously. Let your action be between you and your heavenly Father. One-on-one time with someone can establish a distinctive tradition. Bring Holy Spirit into the activity, and now you have something special. When you keep this between you and Jesus, sacred space is created. Not sharing it deepens your walk with your Savior!
Families
Approach thankful living as a family. Keep a family list, and pray prayers of thanksgiving. Developing a DNA of thankfulness is a wonderful family trait. Find a few minutes during the Thanksgiving weekend to compose a letter as a family to someone special to your family. The Christmas season also gives opportunities to demonstrate anonymous acts of gratitude: cookies to your neighbors or small gift cards to the ones collecting carts at the market. Allow your children to be the giver.
Youth group (or small group)
Everything above can guide your youth ministry in the weeks ahead. There’s a different feel from the individual to the group process, where personal devotion life moves to corporate worship.
Allyson Clark serves as Next Generation Co-Director of Youth Ministries at the Baptist Churches of New England.