Thankful for the Little Things

Many years ago, when I sobered up and walked into the rooms of a twelve-step program I refused to acknowledge a higher power or God. No way was I going to try to let God into my life because the God I understood had a sludge hammer and was surely going to club me over the head for all the terrible things I had done.

During this time of resisting God, I was extremely unhappy. Everything was doom and gloom. I had the attitude of pointing my finger at others for making my life miserable. I could not see any good in life even though I was sober. BUT I did not want to go back to my past lifestyle. I was stuck.

Then came the word GRATEFUL, translated THANKFUL, that was said and heard in the walls of nearly every meeting I attended. Others would say they were, “Grateful for this, and grateful for that.” Not me. I was trudging the long road of misery until God got ahold of my heart. That’s an entire story all by itself – you can read about it in my memoir Carried by Faith: From Substance Abuse to a Life Filled with Miracles.

Learning how to be grateful and thankful for the little things was my lesson once God came into my life. It took a conscious decision to get in in my life and vocabulary, and sticky notes posted in my bathroom cabinet, to THANK God for the day, for letting me wake up, for my sobriety, for a home to live in, for clothes to put on, for food to eat. This was the beginning of my life in gratitude by giving God THANKS for the basic things of life.

Now, years later I must continue to THANK God each day. It has developed beyond the gratefulness of the air I breath, yet some days I go back to those simple thanks. I want to share ways to thank God that are taken from the NIV Life Application Study Bible in the book of Hebrews 12.

Five Ways to Give God Thanks:

1. For answering our prayers. Sharing our needs in prayer is what God asks of us so our relationship with him can grow.
   • I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers! Isaiah 65:24 NLT
2. For providing for our needs. Thanking God in all types of circumstances can be challenging yet we must believe it is in his timing, not ours.
   • Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 NLT
3. For blessings he gives. Thanking God for all he’s given us with no worry leads to more favors he will pour on us.
   • Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 NLT
4. For his character and wonderous works. We don’t understand all of God’s ways, yet when we thank him for his ways more than man’s ways it will bring good things here on earth.
   • I thank the Lord for his justice; I sing praises to the Lord, the Most High. Psalm 7:17 GNT
5. For our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a joy with a thankful heart when we have fellowship with like believers in Jesus Christ.
   • I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly. Ephesians 1:16 NLT

It is by God’s grace that he has saved me from my past and allows me to have a relationship with him each day I draw new breath. I thank God for his mercy and grace to let me enjoy this wonderful journey of life.

If you want to know Jesus Christ, please email me at [email protected] and I can introduce you to this amazing savior.

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