Recently I was listening to a podcast where the topic of being grateful came up. It was very uplifting and inspirational but when it was over I had to stop and think, am I grateful? All the time? It sounds like something we all practice, but when you sit down and truly examine the question, what do you come up with?

Ever since covid I’ve found that I’ve been up and down. I’ve worked hard to stay positive but sometimes life just gets to you. This question of gratitude became magnified in my mind, and I had to spend some time thinking about what kind of attitude I portray in my life.

The first thing I did was order a 52 week gratitude booklet. Each day, you write down some of the things you’re grateful for. After I got the book, I looked up scriptures to add to each day’s entry. My keywords were gratitude, thanks, joy, and praise, to name a few. It’s one thing to be grateful, it’s another thing to invite the Lord into the process. When I think about the redeeming grace of God, how can I not be grateful? I can’t and I shouldn’t.

The speaker on the podcast talked about practicing gratitude. I soon realized that to be consistent; to be intentional, it has to become a lifestyle. It might be easy to speak of gratitude for a few days, but what about a year? Many years? What happens when we experience events that are not uplifting or are very painful? Does gratitude come easily then?  

I plan on finding out. I want gratitude to be as easy as breathing, not something I have to dig for deep inside. At first, I thought of the idea of practicing gratitude as a challenge. Now, I want it to be an everyday occurrence. Not something I have to think about, something I do naturally.

If you already practice gratitude, that is awesome. If this is a tough area or you haven’t thought much about it, why not join me on this journey. I’ve always considered myself a polite, pleasant, thankful person, but intentionally being grateful has made a difference in my spirit that has made me feel lighter and happier.

Here are a few scriptures for you today. I hope they life your spirit!

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.  Psalms 9:1

The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang: “He is good: his love endures forever.” 2 Chronicles 5:13

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:18

I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. Psalms 69:30

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.  Psalms 107:1

Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. Family values, a bit of mystery and of course, love and romance, are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Look for her Harlequin Heartwarming romance, HER SURPRISE HOMETOWN MATCH, available in 2025. For more information about her books, visit Tara at www.tararandel.com. Like her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TaraRandelBooks. Sign up for Tara’s Newsletter.