{"version":"https:\/\/jsonfeed.org\/version\/1","title":"Gratitude for Every Day","home_page_url":"https:\/\/www.wearethebridge.org\/blogs\/gratitude\/","feed_url":"https:\/\/www.wearethebridge.org\/blogs\/gratitude\/json","icon":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/614\/66ffef5dc33b2.jpg","description":"Join us as we take time to be thankful and learn to express gratitude for every day.","items":[{"id":"o614-1782-66feefe75c3b4","url":"https:\/\/www.wearethebridge.org\/blogs\/gratitude\/post\/gratitude-day-1\/","title":"Day 1","date_published":"2023-11-30T10:00:00+00:00","summary":"I sat on the couch next to Brad, staring at a mountain of unopened cards piled into a basket on the coffee table. \u201cI haven\u2019t had the heart to open them,\u201d he said without looking at me.","content_html":"

Welcome to the Gratitude for Every Day 30-Day Devotion!<\/h1>\n\n

The season of gratitude is here, and The Bridge invites you to a daily devotion during November. Every day, you’ll find a new Bible verse paired with a thoughtful devotion designed to inspire and uplift your spirit.<\/h3>\n\n

In the hustle and bustle of life, it’s easy to overlook the blessings that surround us, but new research says that Gratitude and anxiety can NOT exist in your brain at the same time. So, this month, let’s pause and reflect together on the importance of giving thanks. Each devotion will encourage you to cultivate a grateful heart and recognize God’s goodness in your life.<\/h3>\n\n

Don’t miss out on this special opportunity to deepen your faith and embrace gratitude! Come back daily, and let’s celebrate the joy of giving thanks together!<\/h3>\n\n

 <\/p>\n\n

Over the next month, you will be led through scripture and devotionals, which will help you practice gratitude.<\/h3>\n\n

Take time to be thankful. Read a short devotion and a selected Bible verse each day.<\/h3>\n\n

Let’s get started with Day 1!<\/h2>\n\n

 <\/h3>\n\n

DEVOTION<\/h1>\n\n

I sat on the couch next to Brad, staring at a mountain of unopened cards piled into a basket on the coffee table. “I haven’t had the heart to open them,” he said without looking at me. His wife of 16 years had passed away less than a week before after a long bout with cancer. I put my arm around him, and we stared at the multi-colored stationary in silence as the minutes ticked by. The creaking above us broke the stillness as we heard his 9-year-old son Jason head for a post-midnight bathroom run.<\/p>\n\n

It took nearly two hours to get through the stack. It didn’t take that long to read them; it took that long to analyze them. Brad told me I had one job. Somehow, make this heart-breaking task fun. Or at least not so painful. Despite the fresh loss, we laughed at all but four as we read them to each other in hushed tones. We, as humans, are not prepared to process deep loss. We don’t even fully have the language to talk about it. This became abundantly clear as we finished the last of what turned out to be 46 cards.<\/p>\n\n

Most people are exactly as clueless as I am when it comes to figuring out what to say to a friend or acquaintance who just lost someone close to them. Brad and I are very analytical people, and we couldn’t help but turn this horrible 1 AM reading session into a statistics tracking exercise.<\/p>\n\n

Here are just a few of the items we wrote down.
\n38 “Thoughts and prayers”
\n31 containing 5 or fewer personally written words (not counting signatures).
\n4 personal memories about time with Danielle<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Those four cards brought laughter and tears. They brought the recounting of stories and full conversations about who we lost. Brad was grateful for those four cards. Grateful that her memories were alive and well in friends and family. Well, four of them, anyway.<\/p>\n\n

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”<\/p>\n\n

We are not often given the gift of being completely and utterly sure of God’s will for us in our lives. Pay special attention to the “all” in this verse. Giving thanks isn’t a suggestion and doesn’t have situational exceptions. "All" includes 2 AM as you finally head to bed feeling drained, alone, and lost.<\/p>\n\n

As we approach a holiday named after being thankful, I want to encourage you not to be stingy with your memories. Share the stories of the people that have impacted your life. If they are sitting around your table, then all the better. But if they aren’t, please don’t also shy away from those memories. Let us all give thanks for the time we are allowed to spend together. No matter how short or long that time may be.<\/p>\n\n

 <\/h3>\n\n

VERSE<\/h1>\n\n

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV: English Standard Version)<\/h2>\n\n

Don't have your Bible handy? Click here to read online.<\/em><\/a><\/h2>\n\n

 <\/h3>\n\n

AUTHOR<\/h1>\n\n

Dave Hubbard<\/h2>\n\n

\"\"Dave Hubbard grew up all over the world. His dad served in the military so his family moved around a lot. His grandparents lived in Bethany Beach and that made the Delmarva Peninsula the closest thing to a home he had ever known.<\/p>\n\n

After graduating from Philadelphia Biblical University with a BS in Biblical Theology and a BA in Business Administration, Dave moved up to the mountains of Pennsylvania with some college friends and started a youth group which grew and grew. It is currently a thriving church. But starting youth groups in small towns wasn’t exactly a cost effective way to live, so it was time for a change. Dave thought he wanted to be a corporate mergers and acquisitions manager which is why he pursued a business degree; but once he realized he didn’t like cities, or corporations, or wearing suits, or shaving, or really caring about money at all, he went a different direction and moved to Lewes and got an amazing dog named Neelix instead.<\/p>\n\n

Read more... <\/a><\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/614\/66fffdc6bdb33.png","author":{"name":"Dave Hubbard"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.wearethebridge.org\/_app_pages\/stations\/4335\/blogs\/posts\/77153"},{"id":"o614-1782-66fff2272f086","url":"https:\/\/www.wearethebridge.org\/blogs\/gratitude\/post\/gratitude-day-2\/","title":"Day 2","date_published":"2023-11-29T10:00:00+00:00","summary":"The day my brother died - it changed me forever. I believed it was the worst period of my life until my mother died eight weeks later.","content_html":"

New to the Gratitude for Every Day 30-Day Devotion? Start with Day 1!<\/a><\/em><\/h2>\n\n

Take time to be thankful. Read a short devotion and a selected Bible verse each day.<\/h3>\n\n

 <\/p>\n\n

It’s Day 2 of the Gratitude for Every Day 30-Day Devotion.<\/h1>\n\n

 <\/h3>\n\n

DEVOTION<\/h1>\n\n

The day my brother died - it changed me forever. I believed it was the worst period of my life until my mother, my first best friend, died eight weeks later. I didn’t know how I would recover from my sorrow, loss, and the hardships that ensued afterward. Finding reasons to be thankful during that time was tough, but I did. Eventually.<\/p>\n\n

What about you?<\/p>\n\n

Can you reflect on when you faced adversity or an insurmountable challenge? Maybe you’re in a battle right now. Perhaps it’s an illness, job loss, or a broken relationship. During these experiences, it’s hard to find reasons to be thankful.<\/p>\n\n

Looking back, we often see how God used hard seasons to bring unexpected blessings or personal growth. Maybe it strengthened our faith, deepened our empathy for others, or led us to new opportunities.<\/p>\n\n

We can reinterpret our struggles through gratitude as part of God’s redemptive plan. Here are four practical ways I lived through challenging times to do this:<\/p>\n\n

1: Recognize God’s Goodness<\/strong>
\nBy acknowledging God’s goodness in all things, we can cultivate a spirit of gratitude transcending circumstances.<\/p>\n\n

2: Embrace a Thankful Heart<\/strong>
\nWe’re encouraged to accept everything with thanksgiving, which challenges us to embrace gratitude even during difficulty.<\/p>\n\n

3: Be Consecrated through God’s Word and Prayer<\/strong>
\nThrough the power of God’s word and prayer, we can find meaning and purpose in every experience. This consecration process allows us to see beyond the surface and recognize God’s hand in our lives.<\/p>\n\n

4: Find Hope in Transformation<\/strong>
\nGod can transform even the most difficult circumstances. Just as a seed buried in the darkness of the soil eventually sprouts into new life, our trials can be the fertile ground for God’s transformative work.<\/p>\n\n

As we meditate on 1 Timothy 4:4-5, we can cultivate a spirit of gratitude transcending circumstances. By recognizing God’s goodness and embracing thankfulness, we can find hope in the transformative power of God. We can allow gratitude to shape our perspective and enable us to see God’s redemptive hand even in life’s challenging times.<\/p>\n\n

 <\/h3>\n\n

VERSE<\/h1>\n\n

1 Timothy 4:4-5 (ESV: English Standard Version)<\/h2>\n\n

Don't have your Bible handy? Click here to read online.<\/em><\/a><\/h2>\n\n

 <\/p>\n\n

AUTHOR<\/h1>\n\n

Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes<\/h2>\n\n

\"\"Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes is an editor, author, speaker, podcaster, and educational consultant. She is the production editor for Embolden Media Group and a member of Word Weavers International, serving as an online chapter president and mentor. She belongs to FWA (Florida Writers Association), ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), CWoC (Crime Writers of Color), AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), and AASA (American Association of School Administrators).<\/p>\n\n

She serves on the nonprofit organization Submersion 14 board and the 540 Writer’s Community board and is an art instructor for the nonprofit organization Light for the Future in Guatemala. Katherine hosts the podcast Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality. She contributes regularly to several magazines, blogs, and newsletters. She authored a Bible study for women, a collaborative anthology of devotions, and is currently working on the sequels of her first general market thriller novel.<\/p>\n\n

Her thriller A Fifth of the Story debuted in February 2024 through Endgame Press.<\/p>\n\n

Website - http:\/\/www.drkatherinehayes.com<\/a><\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/614\/66fffdc7c7630.png","author":{"name":"Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.wearethebridge.org\/_app_pages\/stations\/4335\/blogs\/posts\/77163"},{"id":"o614-1782-66fffe998d37e","url":"https:\/\/www.wearethebridge.org\/blogs\/gratitude\/post\/gratitude-day-3\/","title":"Day 3","date_published":"2023-11-28T10:00:00+00:00","summary":"How often do you think about your thanks? When we receive something for a holiday, we appreciate it because our mind has prepared us to do so out of tradition and respect.","content_html":"

New to the Gratitude for Every Day 30-Day Devotion? Start with Day 1!<\/a><\/em><\/h2>\n\n

Take time to be thankful. Read a short devotion and a selected Bible verse each day.<\/h3>\n\n

 <\/p>\n\n

It’s Day 3 of the Gratitude for Every Day 30-Day Devotion.<\/h1>\n\n

 <\/h3>\n\n

DEVOTION<\/h1>\n\n

How often do you think about your thanks?<\/p>\n\n

When we are gifted a present or receive something for a holiday or special occasion, we appreciate it because our mind has prepared us to do so out of tradition and respect.<\/p>\n\n

But what about the gifts of waking up, breathing, having others around us, and having Christ with us? I admit I sometimes forget to thank Him for the ordinariness of life.<\/p>\n\n

Colossians 4:2 instructs us to “devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” (NIV).<\/p>\n\n

As a creative, I’m always watching the world. Perhaps an action will trigger an event in my next novel. Maybe a sight will induce different colors in my next painting. These same abilities of observance lend themselves to gratitude for what I observe.<\/p>\n\n

We can choose to thank Him for everything He has placed in our lives as we seek out the “small wins” of the day.<\/p>\n\n

What about what He protects you from? Your watchfulness in prayer can establish God’s rule in your life, keeping you from harmful situations.<\/p>\n\n

Do you think you don’t have anything to be thankful for? Start where you’re at. List five tangible things you can see, feel, or hear. Are they unpleasant? Praise God for your ability to see, feel, or hear them! Do you think they’re small in the scheme of things? Praise God you see His candle flickering in the darkness. You’re reading this devotion—praise God you are alert enough to comprehend He wants to bless you!<\/p>\n\n

A small notebook is a perfect place to track God’s blessings. If the sun shines 1,000 days in a row, you should have 1,000 blessings to write about! Developing the habit of observing His blessings will increase the blessings you observe.<\/p>\n\n

When you pay attention to the world outside yourself, your watchfulness will guide and protect you. And for that, you can be eternally thankful.<\/p>\n\n

Lord, thank you for being my tour guide in this life. Thank you for causing me to stop and pay attention to the world around me, so that I may see your glory and share it with others. God, may I always be aware of Your Goodness in my life. Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

 <\/p>\n\n

VERSE<\/h1>\n\n

Colossians 4:2 (ESV: English Standard Version)<\/h2>\n\n

Don't have your Bible handy? Click here to read online.<\/em><\/a><\/h2>\n\n

 <\/p>\n\n

AUTHOR<\/h1>\n\n

Molly Jo Realy<\/h2>\n\n

\"\"A Southern hippiechick at heart, Molly Jo Realy is author of the romantic location mystery novel, NOLA, and creator of the Book Builder Workbook. The founder of New Inklings Press, she is also an editor and coach who strives to encourage people to embrace their unique talents to share their stories as only they can. Addicted to God, cats, tea, planners, and pens, in no particular order. Follow her on social media for more fun!<\/p>\n\n

COME ALIVE, STAY WILD, and always, SAVOR THE JOURNEY!<\/p>\n\n

“Writing is about grabbing the reader’s attention and telling the story only you can tell. Let your personality and experiences flow into the characters you write, read, and live.<\/p>\n\n

It’s not what I write that’s unique.
\nIt’s how I write it.”<\/p>\n\n

 <\/p>\n\n

Facebook - @MollyJoRealy<\/a>
\nFacebook - @NewInklingsPress<\/a><\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/614\/66fffdd7ceeef.png","author":{"name":"Molly Jo Realy"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.wearethebridge.org\/_app_pages\/stations\/4335\/blogs\/posts\/77166"},{"id":"o614-1782-67000354153ea","url":"https:\/\/www.wearethebridge.org\/blogs\/gratitude\/post\/gratitude-day-4\/","title":"Day 4","date_published":"2023-11-27T10:00:00+00:00","summary":"I felt an urging in my heart: \"Bundle up your boy, place him in his bicycle seat, and check your postbox.\" \"But Lord,\" I replied, \"I checked my postbox ten minutes ago.\"","content_html":"

New to the Gratitude for Every Day 30-Day Devotion? Start with Day 1!<\/a><\/em><\/h2>\n\n

Take time to be thankful. Read a short devotion and a selected Bible verse each day.<\/h3>\n\n

 <\/p>\n\n

It’s Day 4 of the Gratitude for Every Day 30-Day Devotion.<\/h1>\n\n

 <\/h3>\n\n

DEVOTION<\/h1>\n\n

"Lord, You said You would be as a husband unto me," I said to God as I faced the fact that I only had two diapers left before payday. I escaped my ex-husband about a year prior and received less than 40 dollars a month in child support. I motioned to my son and continued. "That means my son is Your son – and You will take care of his needs according to Your riches in glory. I don’t know how You’ll do it, but I know You’ll show me the way."<\/p>\n\n

I felt an urging in my heart: "Bundle up your boy, place him in his bicycle seat, and check your postbox."<\/p>\n\n

"But Lord," I replied, "I checked my postbox ten minutes ago."<\/p>\n\n

That strong urging came upon me once more. I knew what I had to do. I had to trust God despite what I thought I knew.<\/p>\n\n

So, I bundled up my child, placed him in the child seat of my only mode of transportation, and headed to the mailbox. I hoped with anticipation for something – anything – while I turned the key, which opened what should have been an empty mailbox.<\/p>\n\n

Inside, against the metal box wall, my hand felt the crisp postcard. My hand trembled as I read the words: redeemable, the brand of diapers my son used! And to top it off, it was a mega-pack! God didn’t stop at providing a normal-sized pack of diapers for my child; He mega-provided for us!<\/p>\n\n

As it says in Philippians 4:6: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God..."<\/p>\n\n

You can rest in the knowledge that God hears. He cares. He can do mega things in your life.<\/p>\n\n

 <\/h3>\n\n

VERSE<\/h1>\n\n

Philippians 4:6 (ESV: English Standard Version)<\/h2>\n\n

Don't have your Bible handy? Click here to read online.<\/em><\/a><\/h2>\n\n

 <\/p>\n\n

AUTHOR<\/h1>\n\n

Rebecca Jones<\/h2>\n\n

\"\"Rebecca Jones is a writer and cake decorating enthusiast who lives in Seaford, Delaware with her husband Tim, and her youngest son -- a musically gifted young man named Samuel. She is equally proud of her birds who have flown from the nest: Glenn, Daniel, and Rachel, and loves her role as mother-in-law to Taylor and Conner. She is owned by her three beautiful kitties -- Shiloh, Fritzie, and Baby -- and plays frisbee practically every day with her playmate: a dog named "Ringo."<\/p>\n\n

Rebecca makes her spiritual home at Abundant Life Church, Donovan's Road, Georgetown, where she helps in whichever capacity she is able and available.<\/p>\n\n

Rebecca writes for Morningstar Publications as a freelance newswriter. She also has been a freelance writer for web companies and organizations. In addition, she enjoys voice-over work, as well as oral storytelling.<\/p>\n\n

Rebecca has had work published in trade magazines, as well as the former "Christian Woman" magazine. "Chicken Soup for the Soul" has published stories in two of their books. She has had short stories published in five different published books.<\/p>\n\n

She is currently working on personal writing projects which include two plays, a book, a memoir, and a children's book or two. Rebecca can be reached at rebecca.jones.storyteller@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/614\/66fffdd79c7f7.png","author":{"name":"Rebecca Jones"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.wearethebridge.org\/_app_pages\/stations\/4335\/blogs\/posts\/77168"},{"id":"o614-1782-670003a384a75","url":"https:\/\/www.wearethebridge.org\/blogs\/gratitude\/post\/gratitude-day-5\/","title":"Day 5","date_published":"2023-11-26T10:00:00+00:00","summary":"We may feel unable to give to others, especially when we struggle to provide for our immediate family. God understands!","content_html":"

New to the Gratitude for Every Day 30-Day Devotion? Start with Day 1!<\/a><\/em><\/h2>\n\n

Take time to be thankful. Read a short devotion and a selected Bible verse each day.<\/h3>\n\n

 <\/p>\n\n

It’s Day 5 of the Gratitude for Every Day 30-Day Devotion.<\/h1>\n\n

 <\/h3>\n\n

DEVOTION<\/h1>\n\n

It’s such a blessing to be blessed. It’s even more to bless others.<\/p>\n\n

We may feel unable to give to others, especially when we struggle to provide for our immediate family. God understands!<\/p>\n\n

He couldn’t give what He wanted to the world He created (peace and freedom) without giving up the One thing He loves above all: His Son.<\/p>\n\n

Do you feel like you’re being pulled at from all sides? Consider the resources you have:<\/p>\n\n