The next two months of the Salt Blog will provide space to reflect in GRATITUDE and THANKSGIVING. Join the team in pausing for mini-devotionals every other week that focus on giving thanks in the midst of adversity, alongside the mundane, or as we engage in celebration.
Psalm 105:1-2
Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
The bedtime routine in our household takes approximately 45 minutes, per child, usually via a “divide-and-conquer” approach by Mike and myself. There is tidying the bedroom, pajama selection, changing into the selected pajamas, brushing teeth, potty time, reading 3 books (each), prayer, and back rubs — and between these steps are of course the innumerable distractions, occasional disputes, and a few snuggles.
Though this routine sometimes exhausts me at the end of what may have already been a long day, my heart is still warmed by our time of learning to speak and listen to Jesus together. Our prayer time begins by deciding what we want to thank Jesus for today, and suggestions will range from our beds, to food, to “I want to thank Jesus for all of the people in the entire world.”
Mike and I are earnestly trying to instill in our kiddos the practice of turning our hearts to gratitude. We engage in real conversation with them about the hard, confusing, and overwhelming aspects of life, and we consistently circle back to giving thanks at the end of our day. To be honest, this practice and spiritual discipline is just as much a tool that I am trying to hone as one I am trying to relay to my kids.
The act of pivoting my mind and heart toward what I'm thankful for is one that requires intentionality and consistency. And it is one that does not go unrewarded. God has actually wired our brains to improve our overall health and wellbeing via the mental practice of gratitude (see video below).
As you reflect on the devotionals focused on gratitude over the next month, consider using each post as a prompt to engage in your own experience of giving thanks.
Tell us in the Comment Section* Below what or who you are thankful for today! Let’s encourage each other.
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About the Author
Britni is a quiet but fearless spirit who is earnestly seeking the beauty of the redemption that Jesus has personally determined for her life. Committed to the truth that listening breeds understanding and understanding results in compassion, she clings to the power of life’s stories. She has embarked on the venture of discovering her own story and lending an ear to the stories lived out in others and savors the trace of Jesus that is woven throughout them all. Currently, that journey has landed her in a balancing act between the role of wife, momma, and a mental health Care Coordinator.