Summer often feels slower. The days are longer, families go on vacation, and the pace of life seems to ease just a bit. Yet even in these quieter moments, it’s easy to miss what God is doing in our lives if we don’t take the time to be still and notice.
Practicing Gratitue
One simple way to stay attentive is by practicing gratitude. I try to stop throughout the day and thank God for ordinary blessings. I notice simple things like watching the birds at the feeder, enjoying my morning cup of coffee, warm weather, or time with family. Gratitude shifts our focus away from ourselves and the things that feel wrong. It turns our attention toward the things above—God’s goodness and His work in our lives, as Scripture reminds us. As Philippians 4:8 reminds us:
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
When we intentionally notice God’s goodness and reflect on His work in our lives, our hearts are renewed. Our thoughts begin to align with His truth.
Simple Prayer
A simple prayer of gratitude could be as easy as whispering, “Lord, thank You for…” and listing the blessings that come to mind. The key is intentionality—setting aside even one minute to pause and thank God for what you see, big or small.
But don’t stop there. Take time to notice and thank Him for the work He is doing in you. Who is He shaping you to become? Where is He leading you? How is He using your life for His purposes? Practicing gratitude in this way turns prayer into both reflection and celebration, helping us recognize God’s presence in every part of our daily lives.
Gratitude is a practice—it takes intention—but it can be simple, consistent, and life-changing.
As you practice noticing God at work in your life, I invite you to continue this journey in the upcoming podcast series, Growing in Who I Am, where we’ll explore how God is shaping us and how we can live fully in His purpose. Listen to the trailer HERE