By Kathryn Breckenridge

Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy. Psalm 107:21–22 (ESV)

I enjoy gardening. Seeing new growth is so exciting and satisfying! The sprouts emerge from the soil, leaves form, and finally there are flowers! Then comes the fruit, or the seeds. It makes me happy seeing them. During the process, there’s much to be done. The plants need water and sunlight. Fertilizer is provided to nourish the plants. I work at removing the weeds and pests that hinder plant growth. 

Let’s imagine God as a gardener. He delights in seeing us grow! Our growth starts small and increases over time as we follow Him. He pours His refreshing Living Water into our souls (John 4:13–14). The light of truth guides us in our daily lives (John 12:46; 1 John 1:5). God’s Scripture provides the nutrition for our growth, so that we spiritually mature (2 Timothy 3:16–17). 

Sadly, sometimes a plant will fail to set fruit or have a low yield. It disappoints me. I’m sure when I fail to be fruitful, it hurts the Lord. Our Heavenly Father weeds out the things that stunt the right development in our lives. He prunes out and trains where correction is needed. He lovingly helps us grow.

One kind of fruit I want to grow more of is gratitude. I want to be thankful for everything. I sometimes neglect to show my thankfulness to others. Unused thank you notes sit in my stationary box. Too often I find I take for granted what God has done in my life or what He has provided. I must confess that sometimes I forget to show appreciation for God and His kindness. 

Would you like thankfulness to be a growing fruit in your life?

How can we grow gratitude?

Here are some things that are helping me right now:

• Ask the Holy Spirit to remove any weeds of an unthankful attitude. Confess it and ask for His forgiveness.
• Release any anxious thoughts to God.  I find when I’m anxious, I don’t look at life with gratitude. Scripture tells us, Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6–7 (NKJV).
• Yield to God’s weeding out the negative in my life. I have a choice. I can fight against God’s correction and mess up things, or I can humbly submit to His work and grow.
• Daily list what I’m thankful for. I find it helpful to focus on one category. I may only look at one area at a time.
  • Life – The ability to breathe, to have a heartbeat, to see, to hear
  • Health.
  • Family– immediate and extended family
  • Friends
  • Work –  I can pay bills. I have good co-workers and employers. 
  • My church and church family
  • My salvation
  • The Bible – I can read God’s Word in my own language
  • Spiritual Growth – I reflect on areas that I’ve grown in and those where God is currently at work in my life. 
  • Food and shelter
  • Another’s act of kindness. A few thank you notes nearby helps make it easier to jot a note of thanks. 
• Pray. Thank the Lord for what He has done. Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2 (NKJV)
• Tell others what the Lord has done. Tell of God’s steadfast love and “of his deeds in songs of joy” (Psalm 107:22).

What helps you to show gratitude? What are you thankful for? Please share in the comments. 

Let’s thank God together.

Heavenly Father, thank you for cultivating my life so that I may be fruitful for you. Thank you for loving me and saving me through the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Please forgive me for taking You for granted. Help me to be thankful. Amen. 

Thank you for reading my devotional. Please leave a comment. I would love to hear what you think of what I share, and how it may help you.

###

Photo of Narcissus by Kathryn Hughes

Scriptures marked NKJV are taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION (NKJV): Scripture taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION®. Copyright© 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scriptures marked ESV are taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION (ESV): Scriptures taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION ® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission.