The Doorway
I started doing a practice of gratitude each night before bed. During Passover it is a song of gratitude but I love the idea so much I’m switching it up and there is no singing involved over here! I may be a joyful noise to God, but no one else wants to hear that. Just my journal, a purple pen (because purple is the best), focusing on God and all He’s done for me before I fall asleep.
It’s called: Dayenu (DYE-a-noo) which translates into: “It would have been enough” or as one pastor offered this translation: “Thank you, for overdoing it.”
It could look like this:
”God, a delicious lunch of my choice would’ve have been enough, but you gave me a friend to share a conversation with over that food. Thank You for overdoing it!”
It could be 30 seconds or 30 minutes.
What would happen to our hearts and minds if we intentionally set our hearts on God and thanked Him for the small-to-big things that happened in our day? What if we sifted through the events of our day and let go of the hard, sad, mad, overwhelmed moments and focused on the good, happy, surprising, joyful moments?
There are many reasons why I am loving this practice at night: it slows me down, gets me off my phone, makes me turn the TV off, I have to focus - remember my day and pull out what I’m grateful for. I am able to connect with the One who gives good gifts.
“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us
from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.
He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.”
James 1:17 (NLT)
Here is some of what Dave Adamson shares about from “The Hebrew Link Between Thanksgiving and Jesus”:
”…The Hebrew word for Thanksgiving points straight to Jesus. The word is TODAH. It comes from YADAH, which means to to lift your hands, to give thanks, to praise. But it also carries a deeper meaning: Intimacy. Thanksgiving isn’t just gratitude - it’s connection.
Every letter in TODAH paints a picture:
TAY means TRUTH
DALETH means DOORWAY
HEI represents the PRESENCE OF GOD
Truth → Doorway → Presence.
Now think about what Jesus said: “I am the truth” (John 14:6) “I am the door.” (John 10:9)
The structure of the Hebrew word for thanksgiving points us to Jesus.
THE TRUTH WHO IS THE DOORWAY INTO GOD’S PRESENCE.
Because real thanksgiving isn’t just listing what you’re thankful for. It’s knowing Who you’re thankful to. It’s not just saying thanks. It’s stepping into God’s presence. It’s not polite gratitude. It’s spiritual intimacy.
TODAH isn’t a holiday word. It’s a doorway word. And Jesus is the One who holds it open.
Hands up if your thanking Him today for being the reason we can be close to God at all.”
Here’s what I love about that and the practice of Dayenu - Jesus is the Door I walk through every night as I sit with my journal and purple pen to remember and rehearse the ways He was good to me and all that I am thankful for. PLUS life is hard. Sad things are happening. Overwhelm is suffocating hope and peace. I need Dayenu. I need to be thankful. I need the practice of gratitude not only for my connection to God but for my mind and my body.
Have you ever looked up the health benefits of living a life of gratitude?
Here’s a few:
Improved mental and physical well-being
Lower stress and blood pressure
Better sleep
Increased happiness
Strengthens your immune system
Reduced inflammation
Encourage healthier behaviors
Gratitude is good for us!
It’s a life hack for our spritual, mental and physical wellness.
I pray that this Thanksgiving you will take a few moments to connect with the One we are thankful to: the God Who loves you and longs to have time with you.
Happy Thanksgiving and have a great day!
All My Love ~
xo Jodi
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