GRATITUDE: Must Haves for Living in the Unknown
Wednesday, five hard-working men packed our life’s possession into a moving truck that poetically pulled off into an Illinois sunset.
Thursday, we squeezed our six people into a mini-van and started a cross-country adventure.
Friday, we pulled into our friend’s lovely mountain home in Colorado, ragged and ready to collapse.
Sunday, Dave started a new job.
And within the week, I was ready to move back to what we knew verses navigating the unknown.
Living in transition with four kids was a challenge to say the least. Our new home wasn’t quite ready nor was our moving truck for that matter, so our kind and gracious friends housed our large and loud crew for several weeks.
It had been a very difficult time for me emotionally, when one day something shifted. I walked into our new home to find over a dozen strangers from the church working and cleaning. Some I had met, MOST I hadn’t.
As I looked around at all the women deep cleaning our kitchen and half a dozen men doing odd jobs around the house, my heart was overwhelmed with gratitude. I felt so humbled seeing this outpouring of love for Dave and our family. And like the Grinch “who heard with his heart and it tripled in size,” gratitude grew my heart and it opened my eyes.
It wasn’t just a momentary emotion of thanks; it shifted my perspective and changed my heart posture in our transition.
Gratitude is a powerful emotion. It holds the power to transform our perspective. Gratitude can actually change our attitude.
Extending or experiencing thankfulness or gratefulness releases serotonin and dopamine in our brains. Two chemicals that literally help us feel good. (I think these are the same chemicals released when we shop too but shh... I won’t tell our hubbies, if you don’t.)
When we harness the impact of gratitude by establishing a habit of it. Well, watch out. It won’t matter what unknown we are walking through, our hearts will stand on happy ground.
I’m not sure how you are feeling heading into this COVID Thanksgiving. We had to cancel a trip and therefore won’t be with family. It seems like we aren’t alone in that. You too? I’m so sorry.
Giving thanks, this thanksgiving, maybe one of the most difficult of our lifetime. But let us not short circuit the power it holds to help us feel hope and joy.
Give thanks. Write it down. Make a list. Say it out loud. Thank someone around you and receive their gratitude when they say it back.
It holds the power to shift our perspective. It holds the power to help us feel happy. It holds the power to grow our heart three sizes this day.
Gratitude, especially in the unknown, can change our attitude.
Happy Thanks-giving!
With love, The Thompsons
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.- Psalm 136:1-9
What are three things you are grateful for in the past 24 hours?
Who are your grateful for in your life? Tell them so.
A Prayer of Gratitude
Father, We enter you courts with praise and your presence with thanksgiving. You alone are the creator of all things! And your faithful love endures forever! You are enough for us this day and always! Thank you for your presence in our lives!
