A Morning Practice of Gratitude

A Morning Practice of Gratitude

This morning, I settled into gratitude.

I’m thankful for the simple gift of waking up. For a healthy body. For the quiet opportunity to read, to study, and to grow closer to Jesus. These mornings ground me in my identity and remind me who I am before the world starts asking me to be anything else.

As I reflected, my thoughts naturally turned toward Barbi and Bella Love. I thought about the challenges they face and the deep privilege I have to walk through life alongside them. I prayed for them, as I do each morning, and I was reminded that we all have a daily choice. We can focus on what we have, or we can let the world pull our attention toward what feels missing.

Barbi often reminds me to take my thoughts captive. Not every thought that enters our mind is meant to stay. Some thoughts are not there to help us grow or become better. Discipline begins there, in the quiet work of choosing what we allow to shape us.

Each day gives us the opportunity to unite, to grow closer, and to serve one another humbly. We have families. We have friends. We have community. But before we can grow together, we have to grow ourselves. That growth requires discipline. Without it, we drift. With it, we begin to live with intention.

When I look at life through that lens, I see that every situation presents a task. Something that needs to be done. When we intend to do that task and take action, adversity often follows. That part is unavoidable. But even when the outcome is not what we originally pictured, the process shapes us. It strengthens us. It moves us closer to becoming who we are meant to be.

Along the way, we also need wisdom and caution. Not everyone we encounter is living from the same beliefs or intentions that guide me, Barbi, or Bella. Distractions will come. Sometimes people will unintentionally pull us off course. That is why daily self mastery matters. When adversity shows up, we learn from it. Then we intentionally shape our environment so that it supports our growth instead of draining it.

Our time here matters. There is a sense of urgency that comes with knowing that. If we want to live fully in the kingdom of heaven that is already at hand, we must seize the day. We work hard. We play hard. We stay curious. We stay humble. Even after we’ve done good things, we continue to grow.

With the help of God, through His Son Jesus, I am learning to slow down and trust more deeply. To seek His way rather than forcing my own. Trust brings peace. Trust brings clarity.

Today, I practice gratitude. I’m thankful for the opportunity to meet new people, to listen well, and to be a light. Not only for Christ, but for Bella Love to see. I want her to know that each day is not about entitlement. It is about humbly showing up and putting our best foot forward.

We will stumble. That is part of being human. But our calling remains simple. To be truly helpful. To represent the One who sent us. To walk content in the truth that we are never alone, that He goes with us wherever we go.

I don’t have to worry about having the perfect words or knowing every step ahead. He directs us. And through that direction, blessings and healing flow outward and return inward.

So today is a day of reflection. A day of gratitude. A day to go out and be a light, spreading the love of Jesus wherever the path leads.