Tiny Sparks of Grateful Joy

Daily Gratitude Year 7 - Day 5: Today, I am grateful for the power of tiny sparks of 

grateful joy to change the moment. 

It has been quite a while since I've shared an Ann Voskamp quote. Her quotes grabbed my heart on Pinterest long before I read her book "One Thousand Gifts, Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are ". I love her writing style and how she plays with words. 

This quote caught my eye: 


''No amount of regret changes the past. No amount of anxiety changes the future. Any amount of grateful joy changes the present." - Ann Voskamp

Good stuff, right? This present moment, the here and now, is the only moment we can truly change. We can choose joy. It disrupts fear and anxiety when we intentionally demonstrate grateful joy. 

Our God did not plant our souls here to develop resumes or "to-do" lists. He gave us breath, and life ... and free will... so that we might choose to love Him. It is that simple... and yet, we make it so hard. It wasn't meant to be hard. 

"Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High." -Psalm 50:14

Our gratitude is a sacrifice that pleases God. 

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. -Colossians 2:7

Strong, deep roots make a difference when the winds and storms begin to brew. Any amount of grateful joy has the power to change the present. Fear and faith don't co-exist.

Today, I am grateful for the power of tiny sparks of grateful joy to change the moment.