June 14
A Heart Full of
Gratitude
“I will praise the Lord. Deep down inside me, I will praise him.
I will praise him, because his name is holy.
I will praise the Lord.
I won’t forget anything he does for me.
He forgives all my sins. He heals all my sicknesses.
He saves my life from going down into the grave.
His faithful and tender love makes me feel like a king.
He satisfies me with the good things I desire.
Then I feel young and strong again, just like an eagle.”
Psalm 103:1-5 (NIrV)
Willow was scrolling through her phone one evening when a video caught her eye. It was a short clip of a family in a remote village, celebrating as they received clean water for the first time. The sight of children dancing and women crying with joy over something so basic struck her deeply. Willow put her phone down and looked around her cozy living room. A warm meal was waiting on the table, the hum of her refrigerator filled the silence, and the glow of the overhead light bathed the room in comfort.
Why had she never really stopped to notice?
Willow had spent much of her life chasing big goals—success at work, the perfect vacation, the newest gadget. She often thanked God in passing for her family or her job, but she couldn’t remember the last time she’d truly acknowledged the countless little blessings in her life. The clean water she drank every day, the sturdy roof over her head, the warm shower she enjoyed every morning—these things were always there, unnoticed and unappreciated.
That night, as she prepared for bed, Willow felt a stirring in her heart. She knelt down, her hands clasped together tightly, and began to pray. “Lord, I’ve been so blind to how blessed I am. I’ve taken so much for granted. Thank You for providing everything I need, even when I fail to notice. Please help me to see Your hand in all things and to live with a heart full of gratitude.”
The next morning, Willow woke up feeling lighter. As she poured her coffee, she paused to savor the aroma, realizing how amazing it was to have access to something as simple as fresh coffee beans and clean water. When she opened her fridge, she marveled at the abundance of food she’d barely thought about before. Walking outside, she smiled as the sunlight warmed her face. It felt as though a veil had been lifted, revealing God’s fingerprints all around her.
Throughout her day, Willow found herself whispering, “Thank You, Lord,” over and over again. Each sip of water, every warm interaction with a coworker, and even the hum of electricity in her home became reminders of God’s goodness. For the first time, she truly understood what it meant to “praise the Lord” from deep within her soul.
That evening, as she read Psalm 103 during her quiet time, tears welled up in her eyes. David’s words felt like they had been written just for her: “I won’t forget anything he does for me.” Willow had spent so much time focusing on what she didn’t have that she’d missed the abundant blessings in her life. Now, her heart overflowed with gratitude, and she felt closer to God than ever before.
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank You for opening my eyes to the blessings I so often overlook.
Thank You for food, water, shelter, electricity, and all the daily comforts that make life easier.
Forgive me for taking these gifts for granted, and help me to see Your hand in every part of my life.
Fill my heart with gratitude and teach me to praise You not just for the big moments, but for the small, everyday blessings too.
May I never forget all that You do for me.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
