Colossians 3:15-17 “…and be thankful…with gratitude…giving thanks to God the father through him.” (NIV)*

I keep hitting speed bumps on this journey through The One Year Bible. They’re showing up all over the place. They slow me down; they cause me to pause.

The speed bumps? Giving thanks. All through scripture there are reminders to give thanks to God—encouragements to take the time to express appreciation for his gifts.

When I slow down—by force or by choice—life becomes less stressful. There’s peace.

Thanksgiving changes me. It changes my outlook on the day, the year and the years all strung together—life. When I give thanks, I’m no longer focused on what I don’t have or what didn’t go my way, I can focus on what I do have and the good that will come. Giving thanks is the door to deep-rooted contentment.

I don’t want to arrive at the end of the road grumpy and bitter, having missed out on joys along the way. The speed bumps in God’s word will help me arrive with gratitude.

And by the way, dear reader, I’m thankful for you!

*The One Year Bible 10/7, NIV, copyright 1986, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois.

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