Every morning I read from four books:

• The Life Application Study Bible
• God’s Purpose for Every Woman
• Moments with You
• The Right Words at the Right Time

There is ALWAYS something in each of these phenomenal books that makes it’s way into my heart on a daily basis and settles in. That is why when I read the quote for this week’s In Other Words, I knew my post would reflect the inspiration found in my daily readings.

At present I am reading Judges. However, I have made it a habit to read one chapter from whatever book of the bible I am on and a verse from Psalms. I read somewhere that within every Psalm is a verse that becomes a prayer of gratitude. Short, simple ways to say “Thank You Lord”. Here are some of my favorite expressions of gratitude from Psalms:

• “Blessed are all who take refuge in him”….Thank You Lord
• “You are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the Lord I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill.”…Thank You Lord
• “You have filled my heart with greater joy”…Thank You Lord
• The Lord has heard my cry for mercy, the Lord accepts my prayer.”…Thank You Lord
• The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”….Thank You Lord
• The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation and stronghold.”…Thank You Lord 

I have a heart of gratitude that I have God’s promise that He will guide me along the best pathway for my life and will advise me and watch over me (paraphrase Psalm 32:8)

This morning I read “The Ministry of Interruptions” by Glynnis Whitwer in the book God’s Purpose for Every Woman. Please interrupt your reading of this blog to read the devotion…for I am so guilty of what Glynnis writes about. Truly an area that God is working with me on.

I think we can all:

• slow down for those that ask for our attention
• choose welcoming words for those that interrupt our ‘to do’ list
• consciously eliminate rushing form our lives so we won’t miss something on God’s “to do” list

I have a heart of gratitude that there are interruptions in my life and people who desire my attention. I pray that I can be the person that will listen, have a heart that will pray, be a shoulder that can be leaned on, and live a life that can be watched (paraphrase Renee Swope) without them saying “pardon the interruption”.

Barbara Rainey wrote in Moments with You for November 23rd:

“Being grateful is a choice that we readily and ritually express on Thanksgiving Day. But what do we do on other days of the year when the mood is less festive or the atmosphere is more ordinary?”

She asks that we:

“Make the choice today to take your eyes off yourself and your circumstances, gratefully acknowledging who God is and what He is doing. Deny yourself the right to complain, embracing instead the deep-seated joy of thanksgiving…in all things.”

Make a list together with your family of some things you need to be grateful for right now.

I have a heart of gratitude that I am 24/7 “deeply dependent on God for all I have or hope to have” (paraphrase John Piper).

Although I have never been a big fan of Hilary Clinton, I have enjoyed many of her writing endeavors. Recently I read an essay by her in The Right Words at the Right Time:

“In times of crisis we need to work hard to remember the gift of life and take stock of the goodness around us. I like to think of adversity as a test of our capacity for love and forgiveness.

Being grateful for what we have is often our greatest balm.”

I have a heart of gratitude knowing that I have been blessed beyond belief in terms of family. They are my “balm” in times of trying circumstances. “There is nothing more powerful on Earth than family…truly nothing compares to the strength of being tightly wrapped in the protective fiber of family. It’s who you are. It’s where you belong.” Dennis Rainey

And so….even though I have written many words regarding the essence of gratitude. It’s not that I write these words…it’s that I make a choice to live these words.

Gratitude is a choice.

Make it daily.

 Thanks to Tami of The Next Step for hosting this week’s In Other Words.