The Attitude Of Gratitude

One of the best pieces of wisdom I’ve learned over the years is a simple morning routine that can literally shift the trajectory of your entire day is to adopt an attitude of gratitude. Most Americans, upon waking up, reach for their phones. They check their email, notifications and social media feeds. That usually equates to fifteen minutes of viewing stressful headlines, mindless posts and energy sucking messages.

Before you invite the world into your day, take a moment to be grateful for all the blessings the Lord has brought your way. Write a note to someone who inspired you the previous day. Journal a few lines about something that took place that you appreciate. Praise God in your prayers for specific blessings you witnessed in the past twenty four hours.

This simple exercise resets your mind and begins in a position of thanksgiving. Over time this creates a presence of mind that is always looking for and anticipating the good to be found in each day. And trust me, there is so much to be grateful for.

Your attitude determines your altitude. God’s desire for each of us is that we would experience the fullness of life. It’s not His will for you to fly through your day low to the ground until you crash and burn, but to soar high with a Kingdom perspective and expectation of the immeasurably more He desires for you.

Here is my list for what I am thankful for this week:

I am grateful for the presence of the Lord I feel in church and our home.
I am grateful for the extra time to spend with Jenna and the kids.
I am grateful to sit together with family around the dinner table with food, love and laughter.
I am grateful for a church family that blessed 300 homes with Thanksgiving meals.
I am grateful for the reminder from Maria Goodsell this past Sunday of this beautiful gift called freedom.
I am grateful for a lead team that serves our church body so well.
I am grateful for a growing church (12% this year!).
I am grateful for our amazing serve teams who faithfully sow their time in the nursery, Grace Kids, Ascend, Young Adults and all of our Adult ministries…from those who greet at the doors, take up the offering, serve in the cafe, lead connect and equip groups, serve in outreaches and various other ministries. You are the heroes of this church!
I am thankful for a 7-3 record for my Dallas Cowboys 🙂 and another win on Thanksgiving day!
I am thankful for the 2.5 inches of rain we received this past week.
I am thankful for a beautiful holiday season that awaits us.
I am thankful for you! You encourage me to love Jesus more and grow as a pastor and leader.

As you gather this week with family and friends, what are you thankful for? Turn that into an attitude of gratitude and keep that attitude through the next year. I promise it will change your day, your week, and your year!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Daniel & Jenna