We live for the precious moments of joy, though all too soon we forget them. Four years ago, a praise journal became the answer to my desire to keep a record of God’s goodness. I’ve discovered the benefits are beyond anything I could ever have imagined. Now I can look back, recall the good times, and give thanks. I can live more confidently because I know that eventually the clouds will clear and there will be brighter days. Most of all, I can hope. When I think of past times, savor them and learn from them, my faith grows stronger.

The idea came to me on Thanksgiving Sunday after hearing Rev. Benjamin preach about “Thanks-living.” That day, I went home like a woman on a mission. I found a spiral notebook. It was just the right size and had the right cover—fuchsia and yellow smiley faces! It’s amazing how once you decide to take action, everything you need is right at your fingertips. God knew that I needed to be prepared and He put everything in place for my journey to spiritual enlightenment.

And what a journey it has been! Thanks to my praise journal, I can look back at answers to prayers that came in unexpected ways to reassure me that God is always present. God has given us one life, but it’s no ordinary life. It’s thanks-living, one day at a time.

~ Jennifer T. Heron

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

-- Melody Beattie

To read Jennifer’s complete story, click here.