“Be thankful for the smallest blessing, and you will deserve to receive greater. Value the least gifts no less than the greatest and simple graces as especial favors. If you remember the dignity of the Giver, no gift will seem small or mean, for nothing can be valueless that is given by the most high God” (Thomas a Kempis).

Maybe it’s time to start that list again. It’s the one I did where I listed everything I could think of that I was thankful for. It took several weeks and went way past where I originally intended.

Gratitude reminds us of how blessed we are. It takes our focus off what we’re lacking and off of what’s not working. It reminds us of who’s really in control and where good things really come from.

Most of us have a default setting of complaining and bitterness and envy. It’s not hard to see why in a culture where every commercial is based off of a competitive mentality where what you have can never be enough. The whole economy seems to be based on “just a little more,” i.e. bigger house, fancier car, newer phone, etc.

But giving thanks makes you grateful for what you already have. It makes you content. You can say, “No thanks, I have enough.”

It’s no wonder that God’s will for you in Christ Jesus is to pray always and give thanks in everything. That sounds like a plan to me.