For February 3rd:

“Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand, do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving  let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)

If you have just joined us on this journey for gratitude, we hope you take the time to look back at the entries made in January. And, Just in case you missed the January Edition of this devotional, we began the following Gratitude project on January 14^th, but it is not to late to join in the fun.

A Valentine’s Day Gift idea for you alone or for your whole family:

Decorate or purchase a heart shaped box (an empty candy box works great-no questions asked about where the candy went!) Decorate the outside of the box any way you like and include the title “Love Gifts”. Place your box in a central location of your home (kitchen table, kitchen counter, hearth, etc.). Place a stack of paper strips or squares (red, pink, or white) beside the box along with a pen. Everyday from today until Valentine’s Day write things you (& your family members) are thankful for on the strips of paper and then “hide” them in the box. Include acts of kindness done for you (or by you), receiving (or sending) a call or note from a friend, appreciate the little things your family members do for or say to each other that you ordinarily take for granted, celebrate and show gratitude for the small things. Try not to focus on material gifts as much as what happens in your lives. Make your “love gifts” anonymous when you hide them inside the box. Then on Valentine’s Day (February 14^th) open your box of “Love Gifts” and read them aloud. You will be amazed at how much joy you will experience.

(P.S. Look for this project again for future seasonal/holiday entries. It works the same, just change the container.)

CUMC Women's Ministry