“But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.”
Psalm 79:13 ESV
At the end of each year, we can always count on specials highlighting chart toppers and memorable moments from the past twelve months.
It’s fun to pause and remember notable events from the year, but that’s true not just in the world at large. I’ve found this true in my personal story.
At the beginning of 2021, I read a devotion in which the author, Anitha Abraham, shared her practice of an annual alter jar. You can read it for yourself via the link below but in short, she takes an empty jar at the beginning of the year and as the year progresses, she writes down “moments of God’s faithfulness” and puts them in the jar. “You can do this at the end of the day, once a week or whenever something good happens…Every time you write something down, it is an opportunity for worship and expressing gratitude to God.”1
I loved her idea and followed suit with my own jar in 2021. It was indeed a wonderful way to thank God for his blessings, big and small, and so special to read through them all at the end of the year.
It also served as a conversation starter. My curious niece saw it sitting on my desk and asked, “what’s that for?” I explained and in 2022, my jar became my niece’s jar. As she’s visited throughout the year, we’ve filled it with things she’s thankful for, making it a great way to cultivate gratitude in children too.
This year, in lieu of my own jar, I’ve developed a practice of writing down ten things I’m thankful for each week. This gratitude journal has been a great way to remain watchful for God’s goodness, provision, faithfulness, and protection and to recognize and praise him for his activity in my life week in and week out.
It’s easy to get bogged down in complaining and what’s not going right and it’s a good reality check to remember there is so much to be thankful for and there are pages and pages of personal experiences to prove it.
Looking back through the weeks, my heart overflows. I’m reminded of prayers God has answered. I see how he’s directed my steps. I smile at sweet blessings he’s lavished on me. I praise him for how he’s taken care of me. I reflect on what God has taught me. I rejoice in his unending mercy and grace. I praise him for his truth and character.
As this year wraps up, what can you thank God for?
As a new year begins, how can you record your own story of gratitude so you can celebrate it this time next year?
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1Abraham, A. (2021, January 15). Remember the Faithfulness of God. Proverbs 31 Ministries. https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2021/01/15/remember-the-faithfulness-of-god
I love this idea! I started a sort of informal version of this by journaling last year over the time of my surgery. In the busyness of life, I have to admit I haven’t kept up with it as faithfully as when I started, but I still record special moments like a beautiful sunset, meaningful verse, or another blessing from God on occasion. It helps keep my mind focused on gratefulness instead of it’s default of complaining or looking for imperfections. Thanks for sharing your idea, and you’ve inspired me to be more faithful with my “gratitude journal” 🙂
That’s great! Sounds like you’re already off to a good start 🙂