As I was looking through the Canon site for possibilities, I was wondering if your “Pleasant Home” lectures might address at least part of my friend’s issue. What think ye?

Thanks, Nancy!

Since you mention choosing, that is where I would start. Choose to be thankful in all circumstances. Gratitude is something to cultivate, which means working on it like a garden. Make a list of your blessings and keep adding to it. Remind God of all the fabulous, incredible benefits He has bestowed on you and regularly review these. That ought to be a good way to start.

Regarding your second question, I always tend to think of Jeremiah Burroughs’ The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment because it addresses pretty much every possible angle on discontent which is what the root problem is when it comes to a critical spirit and ingratitude. You have probably read it yourself already, so you will be able to recommend it first hand.

One for me: Could you share some simple, concrete, practical ideas on how to cultivate gratitude? (Choosing my prepositions carefully is certainly a start! )

And one for a friend: I’m looking for a resource (or resources) to encourage a friend who’s struggling with being “irkable,” as she put it. Her kids, fellow homeschool co-op moms, church members…pretty much anybody whose behavior doesn’t measure up to her standards. (I’ve never, for the record, heard her say a negative thing about her husband, though.) She knows it’s a problem, and she was responsive to some of the ideas I tossed at her (modeling God’s love to her her kids, delighting in the saints for no other reason than because He does, being grateful for what people do even if it’s not everything you expected) but I’d like to give her something (or things) that she can read or listen to — books, articles, recording, whatever you can recommend along those lines.

Thanks!