Giving thanks should be intentional not habitual.
I attended a military high school. We would get demerits if we walked on the grass instead of the sidewalk. To this day, I usually avoid walking on the grass in a public setting. My granddaddy insisted that my bed was made every morning. Seriously, when I returned home from school at close to 4:00, if it wasn’t made, I would have to make it. I still get up every morning and make my bed religiously and he’s been with Jesus for over thirty years now.
We all have habits, both good and bad. Sometimes doing something in a particular way, becomes so instilled in us, we can’t imagine a life where we ever do it differently. That’s okay, for some things.
Personally, I feel like making the bed is a great habit. Only time will tell if my children will agree. The not walking on the grass, well, that one is kind of neutral. I really don’t know if it matters one way or the other.
Sometimes, things can become so habitual that we allow them to lose their meaning. We always say the blessing before dinner. I feel like it’s important to really give thanks for having food to eat. There are so many people who don’t. But, I find we often rush through it. Do we give thanks because we are truly thankful or because it’s a habit?
I tried a little experiment recently. I usually begin eating my bowl of cereal before my teens come down for breakfast. I have begun saying a specific prayer of thanks for what I’m eating. Like the opportunity to have fresh blueberries in February, is truly a blessing, so I give specific thanks for them.
When I take a moment to sit down, I also thank God that we have running water, electricity and heat, that all make my, seemingly modest, bowl of cereal possible. I try to remember that there are millions of people in the world who would give anything for a simple bowl of cereal in a heated house.
I’ve been doing this for a couple of weeks now and it seems like everyday, the list of simple things to be thankful for, grows. I have added my coffee. I certainly can’t imagine a day without it and the honey that I put in my coffee.
I have found that intentionally beginning my day giving thanks, really changes my outlook on the day and seeking something different to be thankful for, keeps it from becoming a rehearsed habit.
Perhaps the key is to be habitually thankful, but strive to make our actual prayers of thanks, intentional.
I encourage you to try the intentional breakfast prayer. It has truly had a huge impact not only on how my day begins, but how I perceive the rest of the day. I find that feeling blessed leads to peace and joy.
Who doesn’t need more peace and joy?
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂