30 Days of Gratitude

Thanksgiving, while it has become an overly-commercialized event of gluttony and excess, has its roots in worship and praise. This is meant to be a holiday of Giving Thanks to God and those around us.

So let us take 30 days to be grateful and to give thanks for what we notice around us. Below are several themes, each with 10 prompts. There are 6 overarching categories, each with 10 prompts, so hopefully it won't be difficult to find 30 things you are wanting to give thanks for. There can be more than one answer for each prompt, so you could end up with well over 30 things to be thankful for. 

Sit and think of God as you note what you want to thank Him for. 

1. His mercy (which we can never earn)
2. His grace (which we never deserve)
3. His other characteristics
4. His actions towards you
5. His actions towards others
6. God
7. Jesus
8. Holy Spirit
9. Name of God
10. How He is working NOW in your life

Go around room by room and brainstorm what things you have to be grateful for. 

For example, I am grateful for a cape in my closet that was crocheted for me by a friend.

1. Kitchen
2. Dining Room
3. Living Room
4. Family Room
5. Porch
6. Bedroom
7. Bathroom
8. Yard
9. Garage
10. Closet

Go around person by person in your life and send them a text, email, or card to thank them for something they have said, done, or taught you. 

For example, I am grateful for my spouse who loves me where I am at, but who also spurs me on to mature and grow. 

1. Spouse
2. Parent
3. Sibling
4. Grandparent
5. Extended Relative (Aunt/Uncle/Cousin/Niece/Nephew/In-Laws)
6. Friends
7. Boss
8. Co-Workers
9. Pastor
10. Worker at a Store

Go around outdoors and look for things you are grateful for.

For example, I am thankful for the roses which keep on blooming all season long. 

1. In your yard
2. At the farmer's market
3. At a city park
4. At a state park
5. Around the block near your house
6. In the early morning
7. In the evening hours
8. In the sunshine
9. In the rain
10. In the animals

Go and look at your body that God has crafted together and think of what you are grateful for.

For example, I am grateful for the ability to go on hikes in the woods. 

1. Sight
2. Hearing
3. Touching
4. Smell
5. Taste
6. Mind
7. Arms
8. Legs
9. Ability to do...
10. Talents

Sit and think how the Spirit has shaped, grown, and matured you. Think of what you are thankful for in the midst of your pain.

For example, I am thankful that I have loved people enough to feel grief at their passing. 

1. Trials
2. Struggles
3. Suffering
4. Grieving
5. Childish ways set aside
6. Signs of being shaped and molded into a more Christ-like individual
7. Signs of growth
8. Signs of maturity
9. Anger at injustice
10. Sadness at the brokenness of our world