Can you believe it is November...already?? In a blink of an eye, Thanksgiving will be here and then....you know what is next, I won't rush it!! but...the holidays are coming!!
For the last few years, instead of 'counting my blessings' the week before Thanksgiving, I've tried to use the month of November to slow down, take notice of the everyday blessings that are all around. Many of my Facebook friends do the same thing, they find something to be thankful for and share it each day. I recently found an online "thankful journal" that gives a thought to be thankful for along with some action to express that gratitude. Here is the list:
Nov. 1 (All Saints Day) : Express your gratitude in a note, phone call, text or email to a person(s) whose ministry in daily life nurtures your faith. Thank God for this saint. Consider how you may be used as a “saint” to others and be thankful!
Nov. 2: Take time to enjoy something you own but have failed to appreciate or use lately. Employ or admire it with thankfulness today. Ask God to show you how you other things you take for granted and be thankful today!
Nov. 3: Take a thankful journey through the rooms in your house, giving thanks for all the wonderful memories, laughs and times together with loved ones. Give thanks for a roof over your head and for the places you have shared life with others.
Nov. 4: While you are eating a meal, take time to consider the aroma, the colors and the taste. Remember those who do not have food tonight and be thankful for God’s provision for you. Pray for those who are hungry. Give thanks for your senses that allow you to enjoy such wonderful food.
Nov. 5: Find something you use every day. Give God thanks for allowing you to have something you use like this everyday in work or pleasure.
Nov. 6: Be thankful for our government officials and elected officers. Acknowledge God’s control over everything and give thanks for His sovereign power to rule and reign.
Nov. 7: Be thankful for God’s creation. Spend some time outside soaking in the colors of nature, the smells and the noise of creatures small and great. Be creative and gather some items for a centerpiece in your room or office.
Nov. 8: Be thankful for your body and it’s members. Treat yourself to a massage, hot shower, or relaxing evening with feet propped up. Rest and be thankful!
Nov. 9: Be thankful for something small today. Give thanks for your coffee, cookie, or even toothbrush! Take in the smaller things in life and be thankful!
Nov. 10: Take some time to reflect upon people who have been influential in your life through their sermons, websites, books, music or podcasts. Write them a comment on their websites to encourage them and show your thankfulness.
Nov. 11 Pass along something that is simply taking up space in your life. Show gratitude for your surplus and pass along something that’s not being used.
Nov. 12: ( Veteran’s Day observed):Give thanks for peace, and the peacemakers in your life. If you see a soldier today, tell them “thanks” for their service!
Nov. 13: Take some time and think about a movie, song or book that has impacted you lately. Say a prayer of thanks for the people who made it happen. Give thanks for others using their gifts to inspire and impact you. Pray that you will do the same!
Nov. 14: Give thanks for members of your family. Maybe send one a special letter of how and why they are so important to your family unit.
Nov. 15: Give thanks for the businesses in your area. Wherever you go today to shop or eat, be thankful for the people serving and running the business. Show appreciation to the clerks and managers.
Nov. 16: Be thankful for the schools and churches in your area. Pray for the pastors, teachers and volunteers. Send a note to your local pastor, principal or child’s teacher giving thanks for their role in the community.
Nov. 17: Pray for a charitable organization or two today, giving thanks for the efforts they are making around the world. Give thanks for organizations that help others in need. Make plans to join one in service soon as an act of thanksgiving.
Nov. 18: Do a kind deed for a neighbor as an act of thanksgiving for people in your community.
Nov. 19: Show a good friend your gratitude by making sending them a song, playlist, or video of something that reminds you of them. Be thankful for good friends!
Nov. 20: Think about each person you will share Thanksgiving with and create a small card or token that reminds you of them to set at their seat at Thanksgiving dinner.
Nov. 21: As you prepare for Thanksgiving, share stories of things you are thankful for from this year.
Nov. 22: (Thanksgiving) Take a few minutes and share two or three word phrases that explain your heart of thanksgiving this year. Say a prayer and include these things in the prayer.
Nov. 23: Take a few minutes today and simply be quiet, reflecting on your community of faith. Give thanks for others that share your faith, encourage you and challenge you to grow and become all God wants.
Nov. 24: Give thanks for your job, your opportunities, your paycheck, your retirement, your financial situation. Even with the smallest of funds, be thankful and give some to God as a Thanksgiving offering above what you normally give.
Nov. 25: Give thanks today for Jesus Christ and His ultimate sacrifice for sin. Pause and spend a few moments in silence reflecting upon the gift God has given. Let Thanksgiving flow from your heart in words and song.
Nov. 26: Find a person you work with and compliment them on a job well done. Give thanks for hard working people!
Nov. 27: Thank God today for big things in your life. The huge life-changing moments that have shaped you. For Birthdays, Graduations, Promotions, Weddings, Births, Deaths, Pains, Heartaches, and the like. Thank God for using each event to shape you and make you.
Nov. 28: Consider your car, phone and computer today. Give God thanks for such tools to stay connected with people you know and love. Use these things today to make a special connection or serve God as an offering of thanksgiving.
Nov. 29: Give thanks freedom and the privileges we have in our country. Exercise your freedoms wisely and use them to benefit God’s kingdom work.
Nov. 30: Wrap up this month by making a simple journal entry of how living a life of thanks this month has affected you and those around you.
This is an awesome list! Thanks for sharing:) I love the idea of being thankful for the smaller things in life. For me, it's lip balm...silly but true!
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