Making Gratefulness the Goal

“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.” (Psalm 107:21-22, ESV)

I am not one of those people that titles their year with a word every January. Don’t get that confused with being a words girl, which I am to the core. I’m just not that type of person who announces to the world every year that I am going to study, meditate on, and learn to embody one word throughout the year. Lots of people do this, and I always find it really interesting to see where people are in their own personal walks every year; choosing words like “vision,” “courage,” “steadfastness,” the list goes on.

And I do think there’s some merit for those that live by that resolution. To set a goal and walk with God by that goal all year long, asking Him to reveal more of Himself through that lens. But for me, I find that if I have a word, I hyperfocus on it, and feel like I’m missing other, off-topic things he’s trying to tell me. Most times, I think back on the years and label my year at the end, reflecting and naming the big theme that God was showing me for the year.

2018 was growth. 2019– for sure– was resilience. 2020 was trust. 2021 was submission. But this year, I think I’m going to change up my usual methods.

This year, I want to focus on gratefulness. Not just being thankful or casually appreciative. I want to embrace gratefulness on a deep level in my very soul. Because, taking a step back, there are so many things I have that God has given me that I do take for granted. And despite the wonderful life changes I’ve experienced over the past couple of years– marrying the love of my life, buying a home in a new state, realizing dreams– I know I’ve grown extremely ungrateful in some areas– the weight I’d rather not have gained, the career I feel stagnant in, or the dreams I haven’t found a way to put together yet.

But here’s the thing: I’ve realized that when I grow dissatisfied in an area, I obsess over it. I hope I’m not alone in this, but I tend to fixate on the things I wish to change, instead of the things God has graciously given to me and letting that count for far more than anything else. I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve let too many tears fall and spent too much time being depressed over things that dissatisfy me. And as a result, that bitterness over the bad stuff affects relationships that could thrive more thoroughly if I weren’t always so fixated on the have-nots.

Am I the only one?

But I read the key verse for today, and I think, “That’s what I want my life to be all about. Giving thanks to God so deeply, genuinely, and fervently, that the things I lack grow distant in my mind.” Because it’s true. His love is unfailing. His deeds are wonderful. In His awesome love for me, I have received more than I am deserving of. His careful hand has not only provided and supplied, but protected and shielded me.

And I want to make my life, and by extension my home, a haven of sacrificial thanks to God; carving out the time to be grateful for His grace and mercy. I want my heart to be full of thankful offerings to God, and my heart to be full of songs of joy.

Because I know in my heart that if I can be reconciled to being grateful to God for who He is and what He continues to do in my life, the wounds I’ve inflicted on myself in my dissatisfaction will begin to heal. Things I’ve spoken down on myself for the better part of the year, punishing my body for being bigger than it once was, punishing my spirit for working a job I’m not passionate about, and speaking down to my mind for not finding a solution to my problems… those wounds are worth healing.

So I can be a better wife, and one day a better mother, a better friend and a better follower of Christ.

So for me, I say let 2022 be a year learning how to be grateful for everything, big and small.

The pandemic continues, but thank you God, for keeping my family and I safe.

My belly is a little less flat and I needed to buy a few pairs of jeans in the next size up, but you know what, THANK YOU God, for a body that still functions and is capable of growth, strength, and serves me well. Thank you for a mind that is still beautiful, creative, and worth taking care of.

My job might not be what I always dreamed of doing, but thank you God, that I have one. Thank you that I have been able to keep it through a season where so many people experienced instability in their career. Thank you for giving me an avenue to make and save money so that my family could live happily.

It’s my deep hope that by taking a year to be mindful about gratefulness, I can not only heal the emotional wounds I’ve given myself in my ungratefulness, but I can also be a better light to the world. Because who knows who might be watching as I allow God to set me free from my own personal and mental cages? Who knows what others might see when I allow God to be put on the throne in my own heart to be praised, worshipped, and thanked? What kind of impression will that leave on my husband? My family? My friends? Acquaintances? 

If you’re reading this, and you immediately think of the wounds you’ve imposed on yourself through your own dissatisfaction, I think it would do you well to join me this year in practicing gratitude. Maybe you don’t struggle with weight, but you feel your body failing you in some other way. Maybe you don’t relate to my job-related issues, but you’ve been single for way longer than you would have liked and are waiting for your spouse to come on the scene. Maybe you have some dreams that seem like they’ll never click for you, but you’re still hopeful God will provide.

In those moments when it feels easier to breakdown and feel sorry for yourself, or return to your same sorry fixations, remember: God is faithful and He always will be. His love never fails. His deeds are wonderful, whether we see our answer or not. You still have salvation. You still have things in your life worth thanking Him for. And perhaps, by praising Him for those things, we can give Him room to heal our hearts and perspectives.