I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.”—Psalm 9:1 (ESV)
It is hard for me to not talk about Thanksgiving at least once in November. What better time than this week as some of us may celebrate it with family or friends. The question I ask this week; Is gratitude your attitude?
Deloitte released a study in November 2018 that revealed that the average amount of times someone checks their phone is 52 times a day! That’s an average, which means some people check it more than the 52 times. Initially, that number shocked me but when I think about the things I use my phone for, I may be closer to that number than I thought. Ouch! I check the weather, text messages, social media, my music, my calendar,GPS,clock….Wow…when I include all of those things, I am pretty convicted about how often I do have my eyes and fingers on my phone.
A few months ago, I challenged those with smart watches that notify them to get up and move when they have been sedentary for too long to also say a prayer of thanks. Not everyone has a smart watch and now I only wear mine for exercise, so I wanted to find another way to remind myself to pray and give thanks to God during my day.
My new challenge is, what if every time I go to check my phone I thank God for one thing or lift up a prayer to Him? Think about that…if you talk to God 52 times a day (maybe more) how much closer you would be to Him. As you offer your praises, you are acknowledging His presence in your life. Do you think maybe this could change your life focus from your phone to God? Would it change your attitude to one of gratitude?
I am most aware of heads being down when I am out in public. The lack of eye contact and personal interaction has to be at an all time high in our society. It is sad to me to see this obsession with our phones. You can be in a restaurant where a group of teens/young adults, even families that are gathered and see that rather than interacting with each other they are all on their phones. Imagine how our world could change if each of us decided to thank God for one thing before we check our phones. What would happen if we instilled this habit with our children as well?
I know it doesn’t seem like much, but your heart will be filled with one of peace, love and thankfulness when this becomes a part of your daily life. This in turn will overflow to the lives around us. I encourage you to join me in implementing this into your day for the remainder of the year. If you journal about it, you will have a tangible way to see how it can change your perspective.
After I wrote this devotion, I found out about a cousin who had been hospitalized. I used this as an opportunity to pray for her each time I checked my phone as well as thank God for one thing. As hard as it is for me to admit it, I am thankful for God revealing to me how often I look at my phone. Prayers went up for my cousin probably 52 times a day. You have the same opportunity to pray about something or someone each time you look at your phone. There is power in our prayers.
Dear Lord,
This holiday season, help me to focus on all of my blessings. Fill my heart with one of gratitude that will spill over to the people in my life and community. I thank You that when I praise You and tell of all the wondrous things that You have done for me that I am filled with joy. Let the love of Jesus flow through my words and actions this week. It is in the name of Jesus that I pray these things.
November Memory Verse
“Remind me each morning of your constant love, for I put my trust in you. My prayers go up to you; show me the way I should go.”—Psalm 143:8 (GNT)
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