In December of 2019, I decided to choose a word to carry me through 2020. Selecting a “word” for the year was a first for me, and at the time, I did not realize the positive impact of choosing JOY would have on me in 2020.

I have learned that gratitude is the mother of JOY, and throughout 2020, I have learned it is not joy that makes me grateful; it is gratitude that makes me joyful!

Gratitude is a whole way of looking at life. For me, gratitude is the appreciation of what is valuable and meaningful; it is a general state of thankfulness and appreciation.

I have given a lot of thought to making gratitude a daily choice. Some people may think gratitude is a pleasant emotion that comes and goes, and something celebrated on the Thanksgiving holiday.  However, I have found that genuine gratitude is about finding the good in others, my surroundings, and in myself every day.

A friend shared a text with me. She wrote, “Well, that bread was a HUGE hit!”

Her youngest daughter said, “This is DE-licious!” after one bite of my homemade sourdough bread.

Her sister said, “That crust is so good… it’s like it…” and her brother finished her thought by saying, “Well, she loves us so much she must have sprinkled it with LUUUV!”

Her husband said, “Well, mom, I think we need a bread starter!”

My friend said,  “I just sat without saying words, letting the occasional ‘Mmmmm’ spill from my lips!! It is amazing and we thank you for your kindness!”

So long as thankfulness is possible, then joy is always possible.

Baking my homemade sourdough bread takes time, it is messy, and I have to plan because it is a 3-day process.

As messy and time consuming that bread baking can be, I am grateful for the Lord’s gift to bake and for the pull to take a loaf to my sweet friend and her family. I am thankful she was my graduate assistant “back in the day,” and we have remained friends for life. The gratefulness from her family has filled my heart.

One of the incredible truths about gratitude is that it is impossible to feel both the positive emotion of thankfulness and a negative emotion such as anxiety or fear at the same time.

As I practice gratitude, I am learning to focus on the present and to be in the moment. I listen for the leaves rustling, the rain splattering, and the chatter of children. I am finding joy in my daily life.

I am learning to literally rewrite the neural pathways in my brain by choosing gratitude because life is complicated, messy, and takes time. I am learning to be happy right now and to finish strong while living with a grateful heart.

I am grateful for the gift of baking and sharing it with others.

I am grateful to realize my baking is a gift from God, and he encourages me to serve others for Him.

I am grateful to have the heart to look for ways to serve through baking.

I am grateful for ingredients to bake, a kitchen with working appliances, and the tools to make baking easier.

I am grateful for family and friends who enjoy my baking.

I am grateful for a fresh today and I look forward to tomorrow.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1: 17

“…each of you has your own gift from God: one has this gift, another has that.” I. Corinthians 7:7