Gratitude in the Present

I don’t know about you, but my January is typically a “down” month. Not as in “I’m depressed”, more as in “I’m not busy”! And frankly, I love a slower paced January after two months worth of holiday activities. I want to hunker down in my house, preferably in front of a fire, if the weather cooperates. I like time to organize, time to read. Time to gear up for spring, which is generally a busy season again. 

But this year? 

This year we just got home from one trip and will leave for another at the end of the month. And two of the other three weekends of the month are booked—one of which involves us (the two introverts!) throwing a large dinner party. 

On top of my crazy calendar, I am working hard to release a new novel this May, which has my work schedule busier than usual, too! 

When I get in this kind of mode, my tendency is to look ahead to the next “less busy” time, which might be February. I never thought of this tendency as a bad thing, really. I mean, I’m looking for a finish line, right? At least that’s what I tell myself. 

But recently I was listening to a devotional by one of my husband’s work colleagues who quoted one of the ancient church fathers (I can’t remember who now!), who talked about three things Satan uses to derail us—regret over the past, ingratitude in the present, and fear over the future. 

My first thought was, I’m good. None of those are my issues. After all, I know I’m forgiven, I keep a “thankful” list, and I trust God for the future. 

But do I? Years ago in a counseling session I was introduced to the term “functional theology.” That is, the way your actions declare your theology. For example, if my theology says that God holds my future, but I act as if I control my future, my functional theology says God is not trustworthy or powerful enough to act on my behalf. 

The more I thought about those three things, the more I—gulp—saw myself. 

I do have regrets—especially the years I didn’t write as often as I could have, wasting time I can’t now reclaim.

And I look ahead to those “less busy” times not really as a finish line to motivate me but out of fear that what I’m experiencing now will last forever.

And when I focus on either the past regrets or the future fears, I’m not grateful in the present moment—for the friends and family we enjoy spending time with, my husband’s job that allows opportunity for us to travel, the work that fills my soul and the hours of my day, and the God who loves me and who I can trust with all of it. 

What was the result of all this reflection? 

My goal for January has changed from “getting through it” to “appreciating each moment.” I want to be present for each day, not looking forward to an ideal (a less busy life) that will likely never completely happen or even satisfy if it did. And above all, I don’t want to give Satan a foothold to derail my life of faith. 

I’m so grateful when the Holy Spirit pushes past my initial reactions to show me what’s really happening in my heart, aren’t you? 

What has the Lord shown you that has caused a shift in your mindset going forward into 2026? 

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D'Ann Mateer

Inspired by novelist Eugenia Price, D’Ann’s dream of writing historical fiction with an element of faith began in middle school, though her serious drive toward publication took a bit longer. D’Ann is the author of four historical novels and one novella, as well as a contemporary short stories in a compilation volume. D’Ann and her husband of 30 years can be found in Austin, TX when they aren’t touring historic sites or visiting their grown children.

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