Good morning, ThankfulHeart.

I started this month with a mindset to notice my gratitude and to give thanks always. It’s funny how once I started, I began seeing connections through a fresh lens.

“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:7, NLT)

Working this backwards, I realized if I want to overflow with thanksgiving, then my faith needs to grow. For my faith to grow, my life needs to be built on Him. And for that to occur, I need my roots to grow deeper still. Roots matter … especially when the surprises come out of left field and slam you.

-Through roots water is absorbed. As our roots go deep in Him, we are promised, “whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14, NIV).

-Roots are the means by which we are anchored to the ground and supported. “Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls” (Hebrews 6:18-19, NLT)

-Roots are the storage place of food and nutrients. “When I discovered Your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight” (Jeremiah 15:16, NLT)

-Roots are the means by which fruit is produced. “But they [those with deep roots] are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do” (Psalm 1:3, NLT)

Root development is important so that faith and gratitude will flourish in our lives. Deep roots of faith are evidenced by gratitude for all God has done and continues to do for us each day.

Wake up.

Gratitude always.

Go.