Never Leave Blessings Behind

Years ago, I gained a slice of wisdom on how to never leave blessings behind. And, dear friend, I pass this bit of wisdom onto you.

First, you get a jar and lid.

Yes, a jar.

The plainest, most non-descript jar you can find. Like a Mason canning jar. Place the empty jar in a conspicuous place. Maybe on the counter in the kitchen … on a table in the entryway … or on the mantel in the den. But place it where you will see it every day. Beside the jar, place a pad of paper and pen. When something good happens, make a note of it and put it in the jar. On New Year’s Eve, pour out all the slips of paper in front of you and reflect over each good thing — each blessing — that was written on those slips of paper.

It’s just that easy.

We keep our jar on a table in our entry. I pass it every day and have watched as the stack of papers has grown. Through our move … through my retirement … and even through COVID19.

On New Year’s Eve, my husband and I have our yearly tradition. After a dinner of cheeses, meats, and fruits, we pull out our calendars and try to project the upcoming year. We schedule birthdays, anniversaries, and other special holidays we hold dear. But since we’ve added our mason jar of blessings, we’re able to fondly review the year as well.

Every year about this time my husband and I get excited wondering what good things happened that we had forgotten. And every year we have our, “oh, I remember that!” moments.

It’s Your Turn

How about you? Are you game? There’s still time.

Find your own jar. Place it in a place you will see every day. Leave a notepad and pen beside it and leave notes when something sweet happens. It doesn’t need to be anything earth-shaking, but something that made you smile. Did you make a new friend? Maybe you found a new restaurant and had the best risotto ever. Write it down.

None of us know what 2021 will bring. Who could have foreseen all the happenings of 2020? That’s why we should never leave blessings behind. But we’ve all experienced something good. Sometimes we just need a reminder.

Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.