5 Simple Ways to Head into the Holidays with Gratitude
Autumn & Thanksgiving
Audio By Carbonatix
By Alicia Searl, Crosswalk.com
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
The beautiful season of fall is finally here. And you know what that means? The holidays will also be here before we know it. Pretty soon, we will be gathering with loved ones, breaking bread at our tables, and exchanging love through acts of kindness and meaningful gifts.
As you sip on that pumpkin spice latte or bake that crisp apple strudel to bring to your next shindig, it may be wise to ask, How are you preparing your heart room to truly be thankful? Sure, we all have good intentions to posture our hearts in thanks and praise, but if we’re really being honest, (I speak for myself here), our actions don’t always reflect a grateful heart. In other words, we long to head into the holiday season with gratitude, but stress or the overwhelming sense of having to complete all the to-do lists, while “checking them twice,” takes over, and, before we know it, gratitude turns into groaning and grumbling.
What if we got a jump start on our gratitude this year and earnestly tried to maintain that as the first thing to do on our list? Better yet, what if we carry that gratitude into the following year and aim to make it a consistent habit rather than just a seasonal heart posture?
It really doesn’t take much to soften your heart and embrace gratitude, my friend. But it does take more than good intentions, as it commands us to take action. Let’s discover how we can truly live out 1 Thessalonians 5:18 this holiday season and cultivate a heart of gratitude.
1. Start Your Day with Gratitude
How is your morning routine? Maybe I should start by asking if you have a morning routine. While each day, especially on weekends, may be different and call us to move earlier than other days, it’s still easy for us to jump (or slug) out of bed when the alarm clock goes off, declaring it’s time to get up and get moving. At that point, we generally go about our daily duties, rushing around to get kids off to school, driving to work, whipping up a mean cup of coffee, or maybe sneaking in a jog. But here’s an honest question for you: Do you touch base with God first thing in the morning?
What if, as soon as we heard that alarm go off, it was a signal to give God your heart, immediately? Simply saying “Good morning, God, thank you for this day.” Then, as you go about your morning routine, give Him your thanks for your kiddos you get to take to school, your job, that delicious pumpkin spice latte, or the opportunity to get in a jog, or even a bit of quiet time to soak in His Word. Start your day by giving thanks and see how that changes the dynamic of your day.
2. Notice the Little Things
I admit that I am not a runner or even a jogger, but I do love to go on morning walks, as it provides time to open my heart before the Lord. It also gives me a moment to appreciate the beauty in His creation and reflect on the many blessings He has bestowed upon me and my family.
There is so much beauty this time of year as summer collapses into fall and vivid colors scatter across the trees and fall to the ground. There is this welcoming crisp breeze that fills the air and warm, inviting scents that flood our homes, practically begging us to embrace God’s goodness. When we experience these moments, it should prompt us to hand over our heart in thanks and praise.
3. Remember Your Words Are Powerful
As a writer, words are my source of therapeutic therapy and healing. Yet, being able to pour out my heart and share God’s love brings me a sense of joy that isn’t so easy to put into words, as it’s a sweet and tender place where God meets me. To be honest, it wasn’t always this way. For many years, I battled with lies that I believed were true. I spoke those lies out loud, and the enemy heard, using them against me. So, when God meets me at this keyboard, I am ever so thankful that I can use my words with God’s strength to fight the good fight!
Oh, my sweet friend, our words are so very powerful! The words we speak out loud. The words we allow to rumble around in our minds and slowly seep into our hearts. The words we write down, from a journal entry to a simple comment on social media. They all have the power to speak life or completely destroy it (Proverbs 18:21). So, as we head into this holiday season, let’s learn to tame our tongues and choose to speak to ourselves in others with truth, love, and grace.
4. Dance and Sing with Joy
Dance has always been a part of my life and holds a special place in my heart. From taking ballet and tap classes at the age of three to dancing on the drill team in high school, I must say I miss being able to freely move my body and putting it together in unison with a good song. While my body has failed me a bit (the pain of getting older), I still enjoy dancing in the kitchen when nobody is looking.
All that to say, when we move our bodies and lift our voices, we have the ability to express emotions, releasing serotonin, the “feel good” hormone, prompting us to be thankful. Not to mention dancing and singing lowers anxiety and depression. Just as King David used music and dance to praise the Lord (2 Samuel 6:14), we can do the same.
5. End Your Day with a Thankful Heart
Just as we begin our day with gratitude, we can also end our day with it. As we wind down for the evening, we can establish positive habits that will allow us to settle in, calm our minds, and tune in to the nature of our hearts. Setting a healthy nighttime routine and weaving in ways to reflect and be grateful promotes deeper sleep. Just as we take a moment to give God our first acknowledgement of the day, we can drift off to sleep, giving Him our last pieces of adoration through prayer and supplication.
Closing Prayer
Good and Gracious God, as we enter a season that brings on so much beauty and prompts us to give thanks, may we come to You with soft hearts. We are so thankful that You are a God who provides us with seasons that allow us to pause and reflect. May we take the time to reflect on the many blessings You have so graciously given us and embrace this season with a sense of wonder. As we strive to take notice of the little details You orchestrate in our lives, may we find moments to give You our devotion and adoration in our praise, worship, and thanks. We are so grateful for Your unwavering love and goodness. Amen.
