I don't know about you, but my life is complicated and often over-full. And the rush of it all can push me toward anxiety. Knowing this about me and others like me, God encourages me over and over again to cultivate the habit of thankfulness.

"cultivate thankfulness" says Col. 3:15

"do you see how thankful we must be?" says Heb. 12:28

"give thanks in all circumstances" says 1 Thess. 5:18

Being thankful is a simple way to practice God's presence. It's a reminder that I'm not self-sufficient, that in fact, I'm dependent on him for my next breath.

Thankfulness recalibrates my attitude. If I'm feeling needy, it reminds me I'm rich in many ways. If I'm feeling whiny, it substitutes life-giving words in my mouth for the life-draining ones that would have come out.

Philo of  Alexandria said, "The grateful soul of a wise man is the true altar of God."

Thankfulness and responsibility are two of the most important graces we parents can model and our children can learn.

All of us can thank God more frequently for the people in our lives who love us well. And we need to thank God for those who don't. Here's a challenge - list two or three things you're thankful for today. I'll start:

1. I am thankful that Talia's wedding is one week away and we're almost done with the preparation!

2. I am thankful for Connie, Tara, Kristen, Joseph, Nancy and others who are helping us make the place beautiful.

3. I thank God bringing friends and family to our house this week.

What are you thankful for?