So I’m told the holiday season is here. Take a trip to the mall and the sights and sounds of the holidays are everyw
here. The season of joy. Yet the people in the parking lot are aggressive. The shoppers in line are pushy. Moms elbow their way past each other in the Lego aisle. I’m missing the joy, people!
So how do we get the joy back? It’s much simpler than we think: thankfulness.
Here’s a challenge. Write down 1 thing each day for which you are thankful. Don’t passively dismiss it as a quick mental thought while you’re processing one hundred other things in your mind. Stop and write 
it down.
I bought this tree and these leaves for my family this season. Every morning we are going to fill out one leaf and hang it on the tree. Simple, yet profound. (Of course, it’s so simple it will easily get skipped, which is why I’m publicly announcing my commitment to do this!)
I’ll let you know how the tree of thankfulness works out for us. I’m hopeful. Learning to focus on what we have rather than what we still want changes things. 
Taking the time to say, “Thank you!” for the blessings we’ve already received curbs the insatiable desire for more.
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good!
How do you focus on thankfulness with your family?
