Gratitude: The Habit of Gratitude

by Marilynn Chadwick

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

Colossians 4:2 NIV

I'd like to become more thankful for the small things in life. Easy to say—harder to do. That’s why I’m focusing on being grateful for the everyday answers to prayer.

It's easy to blow right past the ordinary blessings God sends each day. We move so fast. Who has time to drink in the magic of the blue sky? And when was the last time you took an extra minute to look into the eyes of your husband, or children, or friends?

Get creative. Find ways to focus on being thankful. Here are a few practical tips:

On your drive to school or work (or wherever it is that you go each day), find the most scenic route. Refresh your soul with a glimpse of beauty. I choose to travel up a tree-lined hill in our neighborhood and through back roads instead of getting on the main highway. It only adds about three minutes to my trip.

Enjoy little breaks throughout the day. Studies recommend thirty minutes of sunshine daily to keep up our vitamin D supply. Why not pick a pretty spot? Take a book. Or go for a walk.

Have a definite "quitting time" each day. I was always a big fan of early bedtimes when the kids were small. Make a date to watch Netflix or something fun with your spouse or a friend. Stop the work and savor some down time. Remember, rest is God’s idea.

Stop multi-tasking for just one day. A friend shared how a mentor helped her calm down her highly stressed life. Her best piece of advice, according to my busy friend, was simple. When working, learn to focus on each person or task with your whole attention. Research shows that the value of multi-tasking is an illusion—it’s far less efficient than we think.

Keep a thank-you book. List a few blessings at the end of your day. How many little blessings do you miss because you are sleepwalking, or worse, racing through life?

Above all, when those tiny blessings come your way, pause and give thanks to the Lord. You’ll find yourself becoming more watchful and even more thankful. And before you know it, you will have developed the habit of gratitude.