Thanks to the lovely, gracious, brilliant, and altogether wonderful Howlin’ Mad Heather, bloggess extraordinaire, and her recent post “Unexpected Journeys,” I have decided to start a Gratitude Jar for 2013.

Now that I’m a grown up (legally speaking at least), a year doesn’t feel as long as it used to, but it is still a pretty good chunk of time. Sometimes, I have trouble remembering what I had for breakfast, so trying to remember all the wonderful things God has done for me is impossible. Especially little miracles. Those are the ones that usually slip through the cracks in my memory.

It cost about $10 to buy all the materials at Michael’s, so this is a really cost effective and simple year-long project. And when 2014 dawns, we’ll have something to look through that will help us remember just how blessed we are!

It’s so simple, even a non-crafty person like me can do it, and I bet it’s hecka fun to do with kids.

You’ll need a glass jar with a lid, some stick on letters, card stock, a pen, and scissors. I got the least “girly” set of colors because Wayne is going to use this, too. 🙂

Fold the paper in half and score it in six equal pieces (more or less).

Cut each strip into two halves. You should get twelve strips per piece of cardstock.

Leave your strips out so anyone can throw something in the jar at any time. I just had a glass cup tonight, but I might go out and get something cuter for this purpose later on. Make sure to leave the pen with it!

Stick your letters on the outside. Some people label it “Thankfulness” or “Gratitude,” but for me, it’s “Count Your Blessings” because that’s exactly what these things are. I may not put a slip in when I wake up every morning, but even that is a blessing.

Being thankful really is an intentional thing, and that’s something I’ve resolved to do next year—to be more intentional about everything. I think I sometimes miss what God has to teach me because I’m just too busy to listen. However, if I slow everything down , including the traffic inside my own head, and intentionally focus on the things, people, and events God places in front of me, I’ll start to see even more things for which I should be grateful.

Place your jar in a conspicuous place. If you have a kitchen table or a family room, that would be best. That way, it’s always there to remind you about the things you’re blessed with and to record them while the thought is in your head. Oh, I’d also suggest dating them or putting something on it to help you remember the specifics of the person, place, or thing that God used to bless you.

You’ll notice one is already in there. But I won’t tell you what it says because it’s a little embarrassing. 😉

Happy 2013!!!