Monday, November 19, 2007

Attitude of Gratitude

Being that we go to the same church and all, I also heard a message on thankfulness this week. I am always amazed at the Lord's patience with me. I am so very genuinely slow to learn! There are some things that the Lord has been revealing to me for months now. I hear it at the time and I so very quickly forget. Then I find myself living the same life that I led before I heard the message. I desire more than that. I desire true change for my life. To live a life that pleases the Lord.

As our pastor was speaking about thankfulness, I found myself thinking of how easily I can fall into the trap of focusing on the negative. I notice it more and more in my daily life. I complain. A lot. I dislike this attribute I have taken on, yet, I find myself residing there each day. Through the sermon, it became very clear to me that my problem lies not in being unable to see my blessings. My difficulty lies in taking the time to give thanks and praise for those blessings. I am busy. Too busy. Too busy doing things that are nothing more than time wasters.

So, today I would like to begin a new journey. I am going to list the things I am thankful for here so I can have a record of the wonderful blessings that surround me in my life. I want to provide myself more opportunity to focus on the blessings. Not the complaining. Not the self-pity. Not the all around negativity.

So, as I reflected on writing this post, I could not decide where to begin. When I stop to think of my blessings, so many come to mind. So, I will attempt to chronicle my daily blessings here and I hope that it serves as a reminder to each one of us what a blessed people we are. That we are loved so much by a God who bestows daily blessings even when we are ugly. Especially, when we are ugly.

Monday Thankfuls:

  • I am thankful that I get to walk through this deployment with other women who understand me. Women who lift me up. Women who pray with me and for me. And women who share my anxieties, pride and love for a man in uniform.
  • I am grateful for the opportunity to pray for a strong woman of faith when she feels weak. It is very humbling to pray for a woman who's prayer covering I covet.
  • I am thankful for a toddler who squeals with delight when mama arrives after any amount of separation.
  • I am thankful for a husband who continues to grow and change. Each day I am reminded why I love him so.

2 comments:

Timmarie said...

So glad I covet the shoes of an amazingly wise woman. Thank you for the encouragement and honesty.

Jenn @ Knee-Deep in Munchkin Land said...

Do you know how hard it is for me not to use your real name? Are you ready to come out of the proverbial blogging "closet" yet?

This was a beautifully written post. Its always a great reminder how our attitude effects us. And I just loved your list of things to be thankful for. =) Love and miss you.