Just in time for Thanksgiving! This lovely book offers practical advice for getting on the bright side. The author encourages the reader with many short true stories of people who faced difficult circumstances but found a way to be grateful anyway. The very act of gratitude is life transforming. It is like putting a smile on instead of the frown you’ve been wearing. This book was recommended to me by a friend who was deeply touched by its message. After four decades of marriage, she was left by her husband. It was devastating. She did an Amazon search and found Choosing Gratitude. It was like a life-line. Soon she found herself anchoring her thoughts in gratitude. It took a lot of prayer and effort but when the dark thoughts came or the pity-party started, gratitude became her resource to chase the gloom and doom away. Gratitude is a choice. This is a spiritual book.

I love the simplicity of this devotional book. It has no fanfare but it speaks. I wanted to read what led up to Sarah Young’s eventual writing of “Jesus Calling.” This book was written by two women living in reduced circumstances. They began seeking God together. One would do the writing but both were praying, seeking, and listening for what God had for them. In the process they found what they needed to carry on. There is an open tone to this book. One can picture the two listeners sitting in their humble abode, praying, seeking, and actively listening as they grow deeper and more trusting in their relationship with God. When you get discouraged in your spiritual walk, a book like this will encourage you to draw close to God and He will draw close to you. This is an updated version from the original text.