Grateful for a Day

by | Jul 25, 2023 | first try

FIRST TRY  (Day 3 of 7)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

OK, let’s make an effort to express gratitude today.

Grab a piece of paper and write down three things you are grateful for, and then thank God for placing them in your life.

thank you candle

Look for opportunities to thank people.

Thank your sweetie for any little (or big) thing he does. Thank your kids for their help with chores. Thank the receptionist for his/her help. Thank God again and again and again.

 

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Image credit © Daniel Andrade / Unsplash
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Grateful?

by | Jul 24, 2023 | self-examination

SELF-EXAMINATION  (Day 2 of 7)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

On average how grateful are you?

Do you say thank you when your barista hands you your coffee? Closer to home, do you thank your spouse for setting out the trash or for helping you clear out a messy flower bed? Do you thank them for listening, for having sex, or for doing the laundry?

Do you thank God for a beautiful view, a warm shower, or His grace when you mess up?

wife holding gratitude sign

Research has it that gratitude is good for your physical and mental health. I’d say it is good for relationships and honoring God too. 🙂

Talk to God today about the condition of your heart and your ability to be grateful.

 

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Image credit © Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
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Be Grateful

by | Jul 23, 2023 | concept

CONCEPT  (Day 1 of 7)

There are several scriptures where someone thanks God for a particular group of folks, showing a kind of gratefulness for or appreciation of them. And there’s a whole lot of gratitude offered to God for his goodness.

We’re often told to be thankful or grateful as believers. It’s a way of life in the Kingdom. It softens our hearts and helps us see all the good in our lives.

gratitude quote on napkin

In thinking about gratitude and marriage, your words carry a lot of weight (you know your spouse better than anyone else), so it’s an incredible encouragement when you notice them and appreciate what they’ve said or done.

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Let’s take this week and exercise our gratitude muscles. Let be grateful to God and use gratefulness as a way of building up those in our lives, especially our spouses.

Maybe even take a before and after shot of your heart to see how one week of intentional gratitude impacts you.

Take the day and talk to God about gratefulness.

 

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Image credit © ogichobanov / Adobe Stock
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Let’s Be Sticky

by | Jul 22, 2023 | conclusions

CONCLUSIONS  (Day 7 of 7)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

Faithfulness is a huge heart attitude.

But the fruit of the Spirit is … faithfulness … Galatians 5:22

Faithfulness backs up just about everything. It’s the stick-to-it-tiveness behind all we do.

hands with sticky goo

Will we continue to honor our marriage vows? Will we show up at work and really show up to do the job? Will we stand with our friend when they really blow it in life?

Let’s be steadfast in our loyalty toward God, our sweetie, and others. Let’s be sticky.

 

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Image credit © misskaterina / Adobe Stock
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Make Time for Faithfulness

by | Jul 21, 2023 | resources

RESOURCES  (Day 6 of 7)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

The two things I think of for resources are …

1) Proverbs.  Read a chapter every day.

There are 31 chapters and 28-31 days in each month. That means most months you could read each of the chapters. There is so much wisdom in there with tons of encouragement to live with integrity (which would include faithfulness to God, your sweetie, and others).

2) Consider a slower, less cluttered way of life, so you have the time and energy for the important stuff like faithfulness (and everything else we talk about here).

I’m not a proponent of extreme minimalism, but I do suggest we all tone down our possessions to those things we actually use (I am so not going to clean and store anything I don’t have to) and practice saying no to those activities that don’t add value.

There is much to be gleaned from the minimalist and simpler living movements.

Here’s a lovely video. Take what applies to you and toss the rest.

If you don’t see the video, here’s the link (10 Ways Minimalism Will Help You Be Less Busy).

 

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Video credit © Joshua Becker
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Looking for Fruit

by | Jul 20, 2023 | second try

SECOND TRY  (Day 5 of 7)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)

Time for another day of action.

What have you learned? What small practical thing will you do today to show your faithfulness?

But the fruit of the Spirit is … faithfulness … Galatians 5:22

Ask God to help you see opportunities to show your sweetie that you’re on the same team, that your heart is for them, and that you are there for the long haul.

couple teaming up to solve a problem

Last fall we planted a couple of rows of raspberry starts. We’re actually getting some raspberries this first year. Happy dance.

raspberries

 

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Image credits – couple © Mangostar / Adobe Stock, raspberries © Lori / Doing Marriage Well
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