By the end of 2007, Los Angeles lawyer John Kralik’s life was falling apart. His small law firm was struggling to survive. He was going through a second divorce and had drifted away from his older children. He lived in a tiny apartment that was freezing cold in winter. Even his dream of becoming a judge seemed completely out of reach.
On New Year’s Day, he went hiking alone in the mountains above Pasadena and got lost. Tired and discouraged, he heard what he could only describe as a voice. It told him he’d never receive what he longed for until he learned to be grateful for what he already had. Before he made it back down the mountain, he’d found a way to put those words into practice.
He remembered the fine off-white stationery sitting unused at his office and thought, why not write one handwritten thank-you note every day for a year? If nothing else, it would be an interesting experiment There was just one problem. He wasn’t sure he had anything to be thankful for.
His first note went to his son. When Kralik called to ask where to send it, his son invited him to lunch and paid back a loan of several thousand dollars. So Kralik wrote him a second note. In the weeks that followed, he thanked coworkers, doctors and neighbors. One day, when he couldn’t think of anyone to thank, he wrote to Scott, the Starbucks barista who always greeted him by name.
Then the economy crashed. Even the bank across the street from his office failed. Still, he kept writing. Little by little, his life began to change. His health improved. He grew closer to his children. His law practice began to recover. It took fifteen months, but he finished all 365 notes. And in 2009, he was appointed a judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court. The dream that once seemed out of reach had come true.
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT
John Kralik started giving thanks when his circumstances gave him the least reason to. The apostle Paul wrote the Scripture above to a young church that knew hardship, and he didn’t say to give thanks for everything. He said in everything. Gratitude isn’t the reward for a good life. Practiced on purpose, it’s often the doorway into one, because it helps us see the good God has already placed around us. This Thanksgiving, think of one person who’s made your life better. Then pick up a pen.
MY PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for the good You’ve placed in my life, especially the people in it. Forgive me for the times I’ve waited on better circumstances before giving thanks. Help me notice Your kindness in ordinary moments and make thankfulness a daily habit. Teach me to give thanks in everything, trusting that this is Your will for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
