Pause: A Month of Gratitude in Five Minutes a DaySample

Proclaim

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Phil. 4:8-9)

Prompt

“Whatever is lovely.”

What does it mean to think about whatever is lovely? And what does “lovely” even mean?

I think of it as being full of love. When something feels lovely to me, that means it’s resonated with the part of me that feels love. A garden can be lovely because love blossoms within me. A meal can be lovely because love feeds my soul. A work of art can be lovely because love is an expression of the inexpressible.

Once you start to view the world this way, you’ll see God’s love everywhere, calling out to you, resonating with you, and connecting with the gratitude in your soul.

Focus on that and you’ll be thinking about whatever is lovely.

Prod

Write down five things in your life today that you might find unexpectedly “lovely.” Put your focus on them today.

Praise

Listen to “Forever Reign” by Hillsong United

Pray

Jesus, thank you for making such a lovely world. I open up my heart and soul to connect with the lovely things of your creation as I experience your lovely world. Thank you for making ME lovely. Let me see Your love everywhere I look today. Amen.