Marcia listened as Denise continued, “I’ll tell you what has helped me. I made a commitment to write in a journal every day for thirty days. Each day I wrote down five things I was grateful for and thanked Him for each one. The next day I wrote down five more things, and so on for thirty days. After the first few days, I got past the usual things we’re thankful for like food, a house, and clothes. And at the end of that month, I was down to the nitty-gritty of thankfulness for all that God has done for me.”

“A gratitude journal?” Marcia asked.

“Yes,” Denise said, “and when you do this, your whole perspective will change. Just think about how you feel when you give something to your kids and they’re ungrateful, or when you cook a good meal and everyone’s grumbling about having to do the dishes. That’s how God feels when we don’t thank Him for all He’s done for us.”

We please the Lord when we thank Him for His goodness, His provision, His loving care. Find a pretty notebook and take a few moments each day to write down what God has done for you, and then thank Him for those things. When we develop a heart of gratitude, the Father is honored and glorified, and we find joy and contentment.