This Christmas, my mom bought me a little book called “The Best Moment of the Day.” It’s a journal, with a few lines for every day where you are supposed to write the best moment of your day.

So far, here are a few of my favorite moments this month:

• This year has been busy, with my husband doing his masters in a condensed, one-year program and me starting to work full-time. I usually put the kids down at night, and instead of delegating them to their separate beds, we all have been climbing into the guest bed at night. Me in the middle, one kid under each arm. It’s the best, definitely the best moment of many days. We’ll all drift off together and then I’ll sneak out to do more work or watch a few episodes of Frasier on Netflix.
• A long, hot bath at the end of the work day.
• The second cup of coffee on a Saturday morning.
• My husband reading a devotion to my kids at night.

None of my moments have anything to do with anything that big. None have been connected to money or success or recognition. When I think about my life, so much of my time has been devoted chasing things or accomplishments or goals. This exercise is making me realize that most of what I really want…satisfaction, contentment, joy…I already have, waiting for me in little moments throughout the day.

All of my moments, once hunted down, have made me realize that gratitude is a practice that changes my attitude and my outlook. Focusing on the good makes more good come to light. Focusing on the good chases a lot of the bad away: a sour attitude, discontent, fear. So much of the bad that I think exists actually evaporates when I put my attention on the good.

God tells us to be thankful and grateful again and again, not just because it’s the respect and recognition that he deserves and demands, but because he knows that this practice is good for our lives. He knows how we’re wired. He knows what will satisfy us and heal us and soothe us.

Gratefulness puts me in my place. When I’m saying thank you, I’m acknowledging that God is the giver, I’m the receiver. God is working things out, I’m the one that benefits. God is in control, I am not. God is the father, I am the child.

Life in this world shouts the opposite of all this. I’m going against the grain when I elevate small moments, acknowledge God as the giver, and give over my needs to him. I’m going against the grain when I’m not pushing or controlling or striving.

Giving thanks, nurturing gratefulness, practicing contentment…all of these things turn the world upside down and actually make it right side up. Instead of feeling on the short end all the time, I realize that I’m on the receiving end of grace and bounty and beauty. I realize that there are not enough little books in the world to write down the best moments of my days.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

I Thessalonians 5:18