Read: Psalm 100
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! (v. 4)
Pastor, author, and speaker Max Lucado has defined gratitude as this: “More aware of what you have than what you don’t. Recognizing the treasure in the simple—a child’s hug, fertile soil, a golden sunset. Relishing in the comfort of the common.”
Often I feel like life is a race; one in which my pursuit, and even capture, of the next “important” thing or accomplishment still leaves me wanting. Technological advances have brought many of us countless personal benefits. However, I believe that continual access to work email, regular text alerts, location tracking, and the expectations that accompany these conveniences may prevent us from slowing down, “entering his gates” and giving God praise for his daily gifts to us. We might rush through life too fast to take joy in a hug. We may not ever pause to marvel that the barren ground of winter will soon bear our favorite spring flowers. Or we miss the beauty of creation before us because we’re too concerned about getting the best photo of the sunset to share on social media.
Over the next two weeks I look forward to journeying with you as we consider the importance of living gratefully and how this relates to the ways we glorify God. Practicing gratitude increases our joy and inner peace and bears witness to all around us of God’s faithfulness. Let us all give thanks to him and praise his name!
As you pray, thank God for three daily gifts in your life.
About the Author
Joy Petroelje serves as the grants manager for a faith-based international nonprofit organization. Aside from work, she enjoys family time, coffee or dinner with friends, writing, reading, and running.
