A few years ago, I started keeping a gratitude journal. Nothing fancy. Just a beat-up notebook where I jot down a few things I’m thankful for each morning, usually with my coffee before the day gets going.
Some days it’s easy. I could fill a whole page without thinking twice.
Other days? I stare at the page for a while. My pen just kind of hovers there.
Those are usually the days when I’m worried, or overthinking something, or lying awake wondering how everything is going to work out. And wouldn’t you know it—those are usually the exact days I need the journal the most. Funny how that works.
Lately I’ve found myself picking that little notebook back up more than usual.
This past weekend I parked my tiny home by a lake in North Georgia. The internet was spotty at best, so I just unplugged. I spent most of the weekend outside—book in hand, watching the sun come up over the water, listening to birds and feeling the breeze move through the trees. And sitting there, it hit me again how much I need moments like that. It’s amazing how quickly gratitude shows up when life finally gets a little quieter.
Lately, there’s a lot I don’t have figured out. I’m trusting God to provide, to open doors, and to guide the next step—even when I can’t see three steps ahead. Some days I’m genuinely excited about what He’s doing. Other days I catch myself trying to white-knuckle it and figure everything out on my own, like He needs my help managing the details.
But here’s what I’ve noticed. When I actually sit down and start writing what I’m grateful for, something shifts. The circumstances haven’t changed one bit. The uncertainty is still there. But somehow it doesn’t feel quite as heavy anymore.
Instead of running through everything that’s still up in the air, I start remembering all the ways God has already come through. The text message that landed at exactly the right moment. Encouragement from a friend I wasn’t expecting. A sunrise that stopped me in my tracks. A safe drive when I was too tired to be driving. A laugh that caught me off guard. Even just a really, really good meal.
None of that fixes anything, if I’m being honest. But it reminds me that life is still full of gifts, if I’m actually paying attention to catch them.
There’s a verse I’ve loved for a long time, James 1:17—it says every good and perfect gift comes from above. Simple, but it’s stuck with me. It’s a good reminder that the good stuff in our lives, whether it’s massive or tiny, is worth stopping to notice.
I think that’s really what gratitude is for me these days. It’s not pretending life is easy or acting like everything’s fine when it’s not. It’s just refusing to let the hard stuff be the only thing I see.
So if today feels heavy for you too—here’s an idea. Grab a notebook, or honestly, even just the notes app on your phone, and jot down three things you’re grateful for right now. They don’t have to be big. They don’t have to be profound. You might be surprised how fast your whole perspective starts to shift.
I’d genuinely love to hear from you—do you keep a gratitude journal? Or is there something specific you’re thankful for today? Drop it in the comments; I read every one.