“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father…” James 1:17.

“I am grateful, Father God and I say so. I choose to notice gifts I often overlook, and I say today, ‘thank you!’

I am grateful for sleep in a warm bed, under a secure roof, without fear of violence disturbing my rest. I am grateful that my dreams are not night terrors, and that I can even learn from them lessons for my life. I am grateful for health. Yes, I’m aging, but my body still works mostly as you intend. Even my mind is able; for this I am most thankful.

You have provided enough for today, as you promise, my ‘daily bread.’ I will eat, plenty. Thank you. Do pass along a blessing to the men and women who labored on some far away mountainsides so that I could sit this morning with this cup of fresh coffee. And the workers who lifted into place the walls and roof that shelter me from this frosty morning – show them and their families favor. To the worker in the factory across the sea who stitched together the socks I’m wearing: a blessing. Please carry it to her personally, and fill her deepest desires with your very best for her life.

These are gifts close at hand. There are many more to acknowledge, Father. Thank you for the attention you pay to my imperfect words, and for the patience you bear. Thank you for giving me time to learn skills I will need throughout eternal life. I am still a child, learning to toddle and jabber. I am coming to accept that gratitude is the surest sanity, seeing and saying that you are the One giving and guiding my life. Thank you.”