Thankful for Small, Overlooked Gifts - Your Nightly Prayer - November 6th

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Thankful for Small, Overlooked Gifts
Your Nightly Prayer
By Angie Grant

TONIGHT'S SCRIPTURE

"Every good and perfect gift is from above." -James 1:17

SOMETHING TO PONDER

Thankfulness is something to be practiced. It's easy to see the big blessings in our lives- our families, our workplace, our church. But it is easy to overlook the small blessings. James 1:17 reminds us that everything good that happens in our lives is from Him. Not long ago, I began keeping a gratitude journal, which I keep by my bed. At the end of each day, I recount all the moments of the day where the goodness of God was on display. It usually involves the giggles of my grandchildren who pop over for a snack, a warm walk down my lane to grab the mail, and watching a fantastic sunset at the close of a long day. These are the small blessings. The big blessings, on the other hand, might be the health of a loved one, a promotion at work, or a new opportunity in our church. Intentionality plays a crucial role in our journey with Jesus. Slowing down to say, "I saw God in this!" is a way we are reminded that He is always at work and gives good gifts to His children. I so long to see His fingerprints on my day, in my family, and the people closest to me. 

Slowing down, conquering the rush everywhere we go, helps us shift our perspective, and we then begin looking for God in both the big and the small, and learning to listen to God and how He might use us to be part of someone's end-of-the-day journal entry displaying God's blessings. 

When I'm going through a hard season, the rhythm of reflection and recording those moments becomes less frequent, and I begin to lose track of where God is. The still small voice of the Holy Spirit begins to draw me back to God's handiwork. He reminds me of his goodness! It slows me down again to look for God. He's never far away! I never want to take for granted the gifts God gives me in my life- Big or small. I want to savor the journey of His continued faithfulness every day of my life. God is so good- He's so good to me.

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Jesus,
I'm so thankful for the moments today that I've seen you at work. Thank you for the quiet blessings, the ones I might overlook. Tonight, I reflect on all the ways you were actively part of my day. May I never take for granted your handiwork in my life. I'm reminded of your faithfulness in all the big and small things you've blessed my life with- thank you. You are a good, good Father. I'm forever grateful for your goodness.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE ON

1. Where did I see God's fingerprints in my day-to-day? 

2. How can I slow down and be more intentional about noticing God's goodness, even in the hard seasons?

3. In what ways might God want to use me to be part of someone else's gratitude journal moment?

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/ Helmut Hess

Angie Grant is passionate about helping others become the best versions of themselves—whether in family life, ministry leadership, or in supporting schools and educators. She’s all in! Her greatest joys—besides Jesus and her husband, Stan—are the four who call her “Mom” (three biological and one through the gift of adoption). An even sweeter title? “Lolli” to her five grandkids.

Angie holds a degree in Child and Family Studies and currently serves on the staff at Cloverhill Church, where she and her husband have been leading for over 25 years. She is the Executive Director of Cloverhill Christian Academy, located in Midlothian, Virginia. Angie is a dedicated advocate for foster children and families, and also serves as a Trust-Based Relational Intervention Practitioner, offering support in her community and beyond. In addition to her roles in church and education, Angie contributes her insight and leadership as a board member for Families First and the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services.

How does she do it all? With purpose and passion—as a coach in family life, ministry, and schools, Angie brings experience, empathy, and a heart for helping others thrive.

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