Every morning, we wake up to a new day. A day filled with possibilities and opportunities. A day that we can stand in awe of the beauty that surrounds us and be grateful.
David recognized this when he said; The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy. (Psalm 65:8)
But do we? I’ll be the first to admit that I sometimes rush through my days, barely stopping to appreciate little things like a sunflower field, the bright red bird sitting in the tree outside my kitchen window, or a clear night full of stars. As a result, I sometimes ignore all God has created and forget to tell others about the very God who made heaven and earth.
No more. God deserves better from me.
I won’t waste another opportunity to stand in awe of what God is doing around me. Instead, I will look at each day as a new opportunity to open my eyes to see what God is doing.
A new outlook on being grateful
In 2021, I was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer. During that time, I was forced to focus on treatments, medical procedures, and getting well. But I also saw rainbows after a storm, flowers in bloom, and the leaves on the trees going from green to gold, orange, and red.
I also witnessed God’s healing hand. At the end of February 2022, I was scheduled to have a lumpectomy. Before my surgery, I had a procedure to mark where the lumps in my breast and lymph nodes were. As the radiology technician scanned for the tumors, she made funny noises. Finally, when the doctor came in, the technician said, “Doctor, God is in here cuttin’ up. I can’t find these tumors.”
As of October 26, 2022, I am cancer free. To say I stand in awe of God would be an understatement.
Now, I allow awe to drive my gratitude more than ever. I’m grateful for the things that inspire awe in me and fill me with wonder. Awe is a powerful emotion that helps me appreciate life’s beauty, even in the darkest times.
Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world. John Milton
Tips to inspire us to be grateful
So, how can we let awe inspire us to be more grateful? Here are a few suggestions.
Lighthouse on the shore of Kauai
1. Allow awe to help you see the world in a new light.
When we experience awe, we are often left feeling amazed and wonderstruck. This sense of wonder can help us see the world in a new light and appreciate all it offers. Awe can also inspire us to be more grateful for the things that we have.
2. Let awe help you connect with others.
We can connect with others by sharing our experiences as we witness God’s beauty and creativity. For every believer, this is an opportunity to share your testimony about how God is moving in your life.
3. Allow awe to help you appreciate life more.
Many remarkable people were around me during my cancer treatments whose condition was more severe than mine. Yet, they kept moving forward with a smile on their face. This experience helped me appreciate my life as well as theirs.
4. Use awe to be more mindful.
When we are in awe of something, we are often so focused on our experience that we become completely present in the moment. As a result, we’re more aware of our thoughts and feelings and less distracted as life tries to pull us in many directions.
5. Let awe inspire you to make positive changes in your life.
Finally, when we are in awe of something, we may feel inspired to do something good or change our lives. This inspiration can lead us to make positive changes that improve our lives and the lives of those around us.
As we allow awe to inspire us to be more grateful, I encourage you to record your thoughts in your journal. You can use a plain notebook, a hardcover, or a digital journal.
Gratitude is more than just keeping a list of what we’re thankful for; it’s also about making these feelings known. We should tell people how much they mean to us. According to Philip Watkins, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at Eastern Washington University, “We need to not only experience gratitude but also express it to other people.”
With a renewed focus, I wake up every day expecting to be in awe of God’s goodness and grace. And I am never disappointed.
I am grateful.
