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November 20, 2015

30 Days of Gratitude – Day 20:
Express gratitude to a relative.

Gratitude should find its deepest roots in the family tree.

Take time to call, e-mail, send a card to, or buy a gift for the relative you chose to thank today.

“I thank my God every time I remember you” (Philippians 1:3, NIV).
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It’s never too late to intentionally begin 30 Days of Gratitude.
To download a free 30 Days of Gratitude Chart, click on the “Day 20” photo above!
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By Petals from the Basket | November 20, 2015 | Family, Ideas, Thirty Days of Gratitude |

November 19, 2015

30 Days of Gratitude – Day 19:
Express gratitude to a volunteer in your church or community.

The gift of time is among the most valuable of all gifts. That’s why those who volunteer—donating not only their skills or talents but also their time (and who often go unnoticed for it)—deserve our sincere gratitude.

And here’s a bonus thought! Let that person’s spirit of giving prompt you to volunteer your skills, talents, and time to assist others or an organization you could help by doing so.

Take time to e-mail, send a card to, or buy a gift for the volunteer in your church or community whom you chose to thank today.

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10, ESV).
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It’s never too late to intentionally begin 30 Days of Gratitude.
To download a free 30 Days of Gratitude Chart, click on the “Day 19” photo above!
Click here to receive Brenda’s encouraging, faith-based posts directly in your Inbox.
By Petals from the Basket | November 19, 2015 | Ideas, Thirty Days of Gratitude |

November 18, 2015

30 Days of Gratitude – Day 18:
Express gratitude to a single person who encourages others.

While working at a small college near the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, I had the privilege of meeting many students who have remained my friends through the years. Many of the young men would come and talk with me about the girls they were dating, seeking advice or ideas, and I became “Auntie Brenda” to several of them! One is a young man who remains single and who periodically takes time to send me a note to let me know he’s praying for me that day or to share a verse God is using to encourage him on his own journey. It takes mere minutes each month to send me these notes, but this gift of encouragement seems to come at exactly the right moment, from someone who “gets it,” and it provides both joy and hope. In return, I pray for him each Tuesday and ask God (if it is His will) to provide a sweet young wife for my friend. Today, however, I will send him an e-mail to thank him, because his ministry as an encouraging single continues to make an impact on my life.

Take time today to e-mail, send a card to, or buy a gift for the encouraging single person you chose to thank.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13, NIV).
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Do you still need to download your 30 Days of Gratitude Chart? Click on the “Day 18” photo above!
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By Petals from the Basket | November 18, 2015 | Auntie Brenda (Dating/Singles), Ideas, Thirty Days of Gratitude |

November 17, 2015

30 Days of Gratitude – Day 17:
Express gratitude to a store manager/clerk who has been extra helpful.

Helen Keller said, “The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of tiny pushes of each honest worker.” It’s far too easy to complain when a store manager or clerk does not meet our expectations. Don’t get me wrong. It’s helpful to graciously inform the individual in charge if the service has been a poor reflection on the business. Trust me, the business owner wants to know and to have the opportunity to correct it for you and for future customers. But let’s take a moment to express sincere thanks to a manager or clerk for going above and beyond. That individual made the extra effort to treat you well; it’s time to return the favor!

Take time today to call or send a card to the store manager/clerk you wish to thank for being extra helpful.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23, ESV).
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You can still download your 30 Days of Gratitude Chart! Click on the “Day 17” photo above!
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By Petals from the Basket | November 17, 2015 | Ideas, Thirty Days of Gratitude |

November 16, 2015

30 Days of Gratitude – Day 16:
Express gratitude to a parent/guardian/parent-figure.

While preparing this list of gratitude recipients, it seemed obvious to include a day on which to thank parents for their impact in our lives. But then—perhaps because I lost my father earlier this year due to the long-term effects of Parkinson’s disease—I had to view the list with a broader thought base. Some of you have lost both of your biological parents; some have never had contact with their parents since early childhood; some have parents who were anything but loving and kind. But I would venture to say that each of us has someone that is at least a “parent-figure” in some area (teaching us, guiding us, setting an example for us, caring about various areas of our lives). So regardless of their “blood relationship” to us, they have earned our thanks. And in the end, our focus is not on what we don’t have, but it’s on taking time to remember—and be grateful for—what we do have.

Take time to call, e-mail, send a card to, or buy a gift for the parent, guardian, or parent-figure you chose to thank today.

“Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth” (Ephesians 6:2–3, NASB).
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Do you still need to download your 30 Days of Gratitude Chart? Click on the “Day 16” photo above!
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By Petals from the Basket | November 16, 2015 | Family, Friends, Ideas, Thirty Days of Gratitude |