Thirty Days of Thanks – Day 2: Reality Check

Circumstances have a way of getting up in our face. They distort our vision and blind us to the reality of everything else around. When I’m struggling with a trial, whether it’s a dirty house, a child’s bad attitude (or mine), a difficult relationship, or a real crisis, my emotions tend to forget that anything else exists. And in the forgetting, I become delusional.
Giving thanks reveals reality. It puts God’s good gifts on display where they stand as evidence of His intimate love and care for our hearts.

Consider this quote from my favorite devotional “Daily Strength for Daily Needs“:

Gratitude consists in a watchful, minute attention to the particulars of our state, and to the multitude of God’s gifts, taken one by one. It fills us with a consciousness that God loves and cares for us, even to the least event and the smallest need of life. When this feeling is awakened, the heart beats with a pulse of thankfulness. 

Every gift has its return of praise. 

It awakens an unceasing daily converse with our Father, — He speaking to us by the descent of blessings, we to Him by the ascent of thanksgiving. And all our whole life is thereby drawn under the light of His countenance, and is filled with a gladness, serenity, and peace which only thankful hearts can know. 
~H.E. Manning

What might giving thanks reveal about your reality?

So thankful for . . 

2. Rainy, fall days

3. Steamy mugs

5 Comments

  1. Pink Paisley
    Pink Paisley on October 28, 2011 at 11:21 am

    1. Milk for my coffee
    2. my mother's determination

    I have to say this was a little more difficult because of the challenges of the day but with God all things are possible. I love this encouragement Kim! Thank you for sharing yourself with others:)

  2. kimhyland
    kimhyland on October 28, 2011 at 12:03 pm

    Bless you, "Pink" for your courage and sacrifice of thanks-giving. I pray God's love and grace will be revealed to you today in unmistakable ways (and isn't milk in coffee one of His nicest little gifts 😉

  3. ells
    ells on October 28, 2011 at 12:43 pm

    "a heart beats with a pulse of thankfulness…counting is making that pulse stronger…
    Thanks for stopping by…
    Blessings~

  4. Ashley Pichea
    Ashley Pichea on October 28, 2011 at 7:35 pm

    I love what you said about giving thanks revealing reality. It turns our focus back on God and off ourselves.

  5. kimhyland
    kimhyland on October 29, 2011 at 4:07 am

    Ells – Great quote. Thanks!

    Ashley – And what a wonderful reality we see when we're focused on Him! Thanks for sharing.

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