Thankfulness Changes Everything: How Carlos Found Joy by Giving Thanks Every Day

Frank Wible
Jul 10
2 min read

Carlos used to hate mornings. His alarm clock blaring at 5:30 AM felt like torture. Groaning, he’d roll out of bed, rush through a shower, grab lukewarm coffee from the pot, and drive to the construction site in silence. All day, he’d grumble under his breath about late supply trucks, bent rebar, or his aching knees.

Frank Wible - Man in a hard hat and reflective vest leans on a white truck, holding a coffee. Sunset sky in background gives a calm mood. — *Carlos woke up each day dreading life—until gratitude rewired his heart.*

One Sunday, his pastor preached on Psalm 100:4-5: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever.” The verse clung to his mind like fresh concrete. That afternoon, he sat on his porch staring at the sky and whispered, “God… thank You for today. I don’t feel it, but I’m saying it.”

The next morning, he forced himself to thank God for the warm water in his shower. Driving to work, he thanked God for his old truck that still ran. At lunch, he bowed his head and thanked God for his ham sandwich. By Friday, he noticed something shocking—he smiled more. The concrete felt lighter, his coworkers seemed funnier, and his aches didn’t bother him as much.

One rainy Tuesday, as he sipped gas station coffee under the metal awning waiting for deliveries, his buddy Jorge teased, “Why you always smiling these days, man? It’s pouring and we’re behind schedule.”

Carlos grinned wide. “Because I finally realized God is good… and I’ve got too much to be thankful for to be miserable.”

Soon, Carlos started keeping a “Thanks List” on his phone. Each morning before stepping onto the site, he added five things. Some days were big—“My daughter’s smile,” “Finishing that job early,” “Paying off my credit card.” Other days were simple—“Hot coffee,” “Dry socks,” “No traffic.”

Frank Wible Smiling construction worker in a safety vest kneels on rebar, with colleagues in the background. Sunlit, industrial setting. — *Giving thanks every day didn’t change his job—it changed his joy.*

Months later, his crew noticed his attitude shift. One foreman asked him to pray over the site before a big concrete pour. His wife noticed he came home with a smile instead of silent exhaustion. His daughter noticed he laughed more during dinner.

Today, Carlos still wakes up at 5:30 AM. But before his feet hit the ground, he whispers, “Thank You, God, for another chance to praise You.” He discovered giving thanks every day doesn’t change circumstances—it changes your heart.

What are you most thankful for today?