About the Author

Jennifer Dukes Lee is the author of several books, including Growing Slow. She and her husband live on the family farm, raising crops, pigs, and two humans. She’s a fan of dark chocolate, emojis, eighties music, bright lipstick, and Netflix binges. She wants to live life in such a way...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. I really need this, so I’m in! And the most amazing thing is, even when there would be NOTHING to be thankful for in our circumstances, there’s always so much to thank God for what He has already done and will do.

  2. This practice of gratitude has been true in my life many times. One Christmas, I was depressed because I was at my nieces house, with her husband & 2 children. I was almost time to go home, & I sat on the porch, sad. I was divorced & feeling so lonely. I remembered something I read in the past. It said to think about all of the positive things in my life. I began to do so, & before very long, I was so happy that I was singing all the way home. “Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings see what God has done…”

  3. Jennifer,

    I’m right there with you. I do this quite often. When I feel down or a little depressed I will start a “thankful journal”. It contains everything from big ones like Jesus, Home in Heave to little things like electricity, pens, paper, ETC. I find it turns my mood around. Realizing ALL that God has blessed us with is calming & refreshing to my mind & soul. My latest one has 260 items on it & going.

    Blessings 🙂

  4. Thank you for this challenge. As a recently widowed young 63 year old, I am having a lot of trouble finding the gratitude in my life. I will take this challenge and hope to be looking at things differently soon. I always feel better after my visit to these daily readings!☺

    • Dear Barbara….your short note stirred my heart. I was a 57 year old widow (10 years ago), and I learned the incredible importance of being thankful while we walk the grief journey. Please be kind and gentle with yourself and let your tears flow. God will be there to wipe them and comfort you. Let me know if I can be of help to you. I am so thankful that you shared…it helps to know we are not alone in our deep loss. I will be praying for you….many hugs.

  5. I’m in! I need this as the holidays are such a struggle especially. Thanks for the challenge!

  6. This came at a great time! I am so down and out and feeling anxious about all the bad news every day and challenges of this world. I am starting today.

  7. For twenty-eight years I’ve kept a “God is faithful” journal, seeking to record the big and small miracles he provides. The total is now over 1200–and I’m still counting. God is so amazingly good! In March of this year, I decided to start another journal: A Celebration of Small Things. Here I record the delightful little blessings I’ve often missed in the busy-ness of life: a puffy hippo-shaped cloud, that glorious first sip of coffee in the morning, our grand baby’s giggles, a cozy fleece robe to keep out the drafts, etc. Usually I only record one blessing; sometimes two. It doesn’t take long, but what fun to live attentively and see what gifts God has for each day! You are so right, Jennifer: true gratitude points us to the reality that GOD is our ultimate happiness. P.S. A VERY blessed and happy Thanksgiving to you and your beautiful family!

  8. Papa and I are going to take you up on this gratitude journey! We have soo much to be grateful for. Today we are both grateful Phil Dukes got to go home! And tonight we are having a blizzard to toast our friends health and recovery to a healed leg!

  9. Gratefulness….the gift that keeps on giving! The Rx for happiness with glorious side effects! Great idea! Thank You!!

  10. Jennifer Thank You! I have read your wonderful book : ) I am glad you shared the research you have done on thankfulness. Your story breathes healing and life for our souls.
    Carolyn

  11. Jennifer,
    I will take your challenge as we come to this week of Thanksgiving. In this year of not feeling very thankful as we grieve my Mother who passed away at the end of July, I can whisper this…Thank you Lord that they found the cancer when they did. Thank you Lord that we got 3.5 more years with her than we would have. Thank you Lord that we were all together just days before you took her home. Though painful, it does help to reflect on those three things over and over.
    As a side note, do you have a sister you used to sing with? If so, I believe I remember years at Nebowa camp and hearing Jane sing all the time in the dorm, and one time you came to our church even. I have always appreciated that.

  12. Hi Jennifer,
    Just to say (a few days later!) that your post has actually made a home in my spirit! I was feeling totally overwhelmed with various situations recently & what came to mind was to just say “Thank you Lord” over & over – so I did – & everything just lifted!! Amazing! So simple & so easy to forget how near God is to us! Thank you so much for the reminder!