Why I Keep a Gratitude Journal

by Helen Grace Lescheid

“Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”
(Psalm 103:2).

I don’t know about you, but I have a good forgetter. For that reason: I choose calendars with large squares so I can write down reminders; I put tomorrow’s commitments on a sheet of paper and place it where I’m sure to see it; I put stick-it-notes with messages on them in prominent places throughout my home.

My friends and I laugh about it and put it down to our age, but according to the Bible, forgetting is a problem of the human race.

In Psalm 106 Israel’s spiritual downfall began with forgetting. They did not remember God’s many kindnesses to them; they forgot what God had done; they forgot the God who saved them, who had done great miracles and awesome deeds for them (Psalm 106: 7, 13, 21).

Forgetting led to discontent. They grumbled in their tents and did not obey the LORD. Soon they were copying the sinful ways of the world (Read the rest of Psalm 106).

I don’t want a spirit of discontent to grab me and drag me down. For that reason, I keep a gratitude journal. It helps me to anchor my blessings so I will not forget them.

When I re-read my journal entries (as I do at the beginning of a new year), I’m always amazed at God’s faithful working in the past year. Oh, I’d forgotten about that, I think. My heart fills with gratitude and hope.  I know that just as God has been with me in the past, He will be with me in the future.

I don’t want to miss any of my blessings. So, I will keep on writing in my gratitude journal.
What about you? If you don’t have a journal, I encourage you to begin one to record God’s blessings in your life. You’ll be doubly blessed as you read about them later.

Father, I thank you that you delight to bless your people for your compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22,23)