This idea isn't mine, but I love it! My friend Brenda posted this on her FB page. What a blessing! I started it today and am anxious to see this project through. If this looks like something that might help you, join us! To God be the Glory Great things HE has done.
(Copied from Brenda Strohbehn's page)
Here's how it works: Every day in the month of November you select someone who has impacted your life. This is not about giving gifts, making fancy handmade cards, or empty flattery - it is about demonstrating gratitude with your heartfelt words! You can email them, call them, send them a card that day, or talk to them in person. But you do it EVERY day in November - regardless of how much time you think you have. It takes mere seconds to say, "Thank you for the yummy cookies you bring me every year on Valentine's Day - your kindness encourages me and reminds me I am loved." Then you hit send, lick the envelope, say good-bye, or give them a hug - depending on your method for delivery!
Getting started is the hard part - so guess what? As if this post weren't already long enough, I'm going to share with you MY plan - the one I'm using THIS year, that is. I will add here that, as a follower of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I will also take a brief moment to pray for the same person that day. If you don't know someone in the listed category, go back and repeat a category from before - just choose a different person this time!
November:
1. God - I'm serious about this one - On November first I will THANK Him and ask Him to "guide me into gratitude" the remainder of the month! He deserves my FIRST praise, and my HIGHEST praise!
2. Someone I have met within the last year
3. A friend from church
4. A friend from the neighborhood who does not attend my church
5. A relative - non-parent
6. A musician in my church (choir member, piano player, choir or orchestra director, vocalist, etc.)
7. A relative
8. A child who works hard or is consistently respectful (non-family member)
9. A store manager or clerk that has been especially helpful (they'll look at you oddly, but that's okay!)
10. A friend from the past (high school, college, former work location, etc)
11. A Veteran (this one is NOT optional - I call my dad EVERY year specifically to thank him for his service in the Air Force, even when I'm not doing the Thirty Days of Gratitude! Vets deserve our lifetime of thanks!)
12. A pastor or other vocational Christian worker
13. A relative
14. A friend
15. A teacher
16. Someone over the age of 60 who has been an example to me
17. A manual laborer whose skills have been a blessing to me or to others
18. A high school student who in some area, large or small, has chosen to be a visible leader for what is right
19. A co-worker
20. A friend
21. A non-vocational worker in my church (Sunday school teacher, nursery worker, kids' club leader, etc.)
22. (Thanksgiving day) Verbally or prayerfully demonstrate gratitude for my country and my countless blessings
23. Parents or Grandparents - if yours are deceased, stop today to thank the Lord for their influence
24. A coach/choir leader/director/teacher
25. A missionary
26. An administrator - school, work, organization, etc.
27. A friend or family member
28. A community worker - postal carrier, fire fighter, police officer, mayor, congressman, etc.
29. An author or writer whose words have impacted my life (email contact info is often in the back of the book)
30. The neighbor, friend, or family member of my choosing!
Do as you choose or use this as your guide - but I'd love to have you join me for these "Thirty Days of Gratitude!"
Brenda Strohbehn
Thank you Brenda!
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