A couple of years ago, a dear friend was diagnosed with cancer. To help her through the hard days, she began a practice of listing “three good things” each day. It’s like a gratitude journal.

We know the research: keeping a gratitude journal or just being grateful improves attitudes and even health. Being grateful makes us happier people. I confess that I am not a consistent gratitude journal person. I keep a journal on paper and online in this blog. I used to post a “thankful Thursday” entry in this space, but have gotten out of the practice. Maybe I should start again.

So, what am I grateful for today?

1. I am grateful for my family. I visited with the sons, daughter-in-law, and grandson yesterday. It is a treat to be with them for even a couple of hours. I played with Sully. We blew bubbles outside with his new Bluey bubble blower, listened a bit to his Talking Jesus doll, and “ate” carrots while we played “kitchen.” We also played with his monster trucks and made “hills” for them to jump. He is quite the chatter box now at three and a half.

2. The weather is beautiful today–clear blue skies, sunshine, warmth. Spring is here. I could do without the pollen everywhere, but I am glad to see the spring. The jasmine has bloomed already. My rose bush is turning red. Birds are flocking to the feeders.

3. It’s a trivial thing, but I am grateful that I can start my days with a cup of steaming cinnamon tea. (My favorite is the Harney and Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice tea). I don’t even have to add sweetener to this tea even though I do sometimes add a spoonful of honey to my cup. I don’t like black coffee, but I can drink this tea “black.” There is something about a good cup of tea that makes just about anything better.

4. This is not so trivial, but I am grateful that I can spend part of my mornings reading my Bible and doing some Bible study. In these times of political and social tumult, God’s word has comforted, strengthened, and encouraged me.

5. I am thankful for books! I have always been a reader. My mother says it’s my escape. And reading is partly that. I can retreat into the world of whatever book I’m reading and get so lost in it that I even forget where I am in the “real world.” I tried so hard to encourage that same feeling in my students.

Gratitude and thankfulness–two emotions that I need to feel all the time, not just when prompted. Perhaps I will begin my “three good things” practice once again along with the “thankful Thursdays” postings.

I will close with a Bible verse my grandmother taught me in Sunday school: “Oh give thanks to the Lord for He is good.”