This day...
God is good. His Grace is sufficient.
Much to my dismay, I realized I've been in a slump lately. Stuck in the mire of stinkin' thinkin'. I've been seeing the challenges of life and not the blessings.
But the blessings! Oh, the blessings!
When we were in language school in Costa Rica, we lived in a small house at the end of a dead-end street. It wasn't much. The couches were scratchy. There wasn't much of a yard. Cockroaches were quite comfortable there. We had to walk to our language school (it was uphill by the way). At first, when the adventure was new I loved the entire experience. But as time wore on, that hill to school got steeper, the house less inviting, and the whole work of living and learning another culture became altogether miserable.
One early morning as we trudged up the hill to school, I was hammering Sean with my complaints. Sean didn't disagree, he heard me, but finally he said, "Instead of listing our complaints, let's list the things we're thankful for."
Well, first I was mad. Who did he think he was anyway, trying to ruin a perfectly horrible mood? But as I grudgingly began naming things I was grateful for, things began to change. I was realizing just how blessed I was, how much I had to be thankful for. By the time we arrived at the school gates, I was practically beaming. It was a great day!
That's how it goes. We can choose each day whether we'll take the blessing or the curse. It doesn't mean bad days (or weeks or months or years) don't happen. It doesn't mean we bury our heads in the sand or pretend things aren't a little yucky sometimes. What it means is that if we look hard enough (and usually we don't even have to look hard) that there are blessings to be grateful for. When we choose to be thankful, even in the midst of trial, God is glorified and the devil scampers. When I take the time to see - really see - the blessings God bestows on me each and every day, I find I can smile no matter the circumstance. Have you ever noticed that happy people are also thankful people?
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I'm reminded of how important it is to truly see the blessings and be grateful.
Today, I'm thankful for a God who loves me and never fails me - a God who is faithful and in control.
What are you thankful for today?
Much to my dismay, I realized I've been in a slump lately. Stuck in the mire of stinkin' thinkin'. I've been seeing the challenges of life and not the blessings.
But the blessings! Oh, the blessings!
When we were in language school in Costa Rica, we lived in a small house at the end of a dead-end street. It wasn't much. The couches were scratchy. There wasn't much of a yard. Cockroaches were quite comfortable there. We had to walk to our language school (it was uphill by the way). At first, when the adventure was new I loved the entire experience. But as time wore on, that hill to school got steeper, the house less inviting, and the whole work of living and learning another culture became altogether miserable.
One early morning as we trudged up the hill to school, I was hammering Sean with my complaints. Sean didn't disagree, he heard me, but finally he said, "Instead of listing our complaints, let's list the things we're thankful for."
Well, first I was mad. Who did he think he was anyway, trying to ruin a perfectly horrible mood? But as I grudgingly began naming things I was grateful for, things began to change. I was realizing just how blessed I was, how much I had to be thankful for. By the time we arrived at the school gates, I was practically beaming. It was a great day!
That's how it goes. We can choose each day whether we'll take the blessing or the curse. It doesn't mean bad days (or weeks or months or years) don't happen. It doesn't mean we bury our heads in the sand or pretend things aren't a little yucky sometimes. What it means is that if we look hard enough (and usually we don't even have to look hard) that there are blessings to be grateful for. When we choose to be thankful, even in the midst of trial, God is glorified and the devil scampers. When I take the time to see - really see - the blessings God bestows on me each and every day, I find I can smile no matter the circumstance. Have you ever noticed that happy people are also thankful people?
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I'm reminded of how important it is to truly see the blessings and be grateful.
Today, I'm thankful for a God who loves me and never fails me - a God who is faithful and in control.
What are you thankful for today?
Becca, I'm so thankful for your blog,for you, my son, and your girls. We are so blessed!!
ReplyDeleteVicki C
And I am very thankful for YOU, sweet Mom-in-law.
ReplyDeleteWhat a good, much-needed reminder! Let's plan a park day before the winter takes over!
ReplyDeleteA&I, Yes! We need to do a park day ASAP! Otherwise...maybe a sledding day?!
ReplyDelete