After a week of debilitating exhaustion, on the first day of looking up and feeling normal and healthy, I am singing: My heart is filled with thankfulness …

For the past month, I posted on Facebook a record of one thing for which I was grateful each day. The discipline proved invaluable. It all began with a sermon on 1 Thessalonians 5:18 preached on World Gratitude Day in September. Although I announced that I would do it, I had reservations about whether I could keep it up. Days are busy, and by evening, I might be too tired.

The company on that occasion was august indeed. It included ones such as the mayor and the chairman of Churches Together, clergy and counsellors, the MP was represented, and so on. If I was doing it for them, the benefit was undoubtedly mine. Every day, I discovered innumerable causes of thanksgiving and had to choose one to share publicly. How true the once-popular hymn: Count your many blessings, name them one by one… and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

It has been refreshing to the heart to look studiously for the good things in life. It puts a spring in the step and positivity in the mind. After only thirty-one days, I can hardly stop reflecting on everything that is to be valued in the world about me, in the people around me and even in my own soul. So, why would I want to turn to a negative take on life? Why would I choose to cease to experience appreciation of all things?

Very wise and right are the words of the Apostle Paul:

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.