Intentional Gratitude

It’s easy to entertain thoughts of “why me?” when we feel as though life has slapped us around lately.  Our natural human tendency is to settle into a pity party. 

Sometimes we do more than just settle there; we go all out with decorating and sending out invitations!  Can you just imagine what your invitation would say? 

Please join me in my “whoa is me”, “my life is not what I dreamed it to be” party.

It looks totally silly written out in black and white, but we all have gone there at times.  I know I have.

I shared recently that I am choosing gratitude.  No really, I am CHOOSING gratitude. 

• ·        When I am weary of being the only adult in this home, I choose to thank God for the blessing of my children.  (They are phenomenal human beings and I enjoy them immensely!)
• ·        When I am feeling like there are not enough hours in the day to accomplish my work (both my “real job” that pays our bills and my volunteer ministry work), I choose to praise God that I have a flexible career where I can care for my children in our home and adequately provide for us; I praise Him for the widow ministry He has orchestrated my participation in.
• ·        When I look around my house and see stuff scattered and in a bit of disarray (I’m an OCD girl by nature), I slow down and choose to thank God for each item that needs to be returned to its rightful place.  Honestly, I am learning that not everything has to be in its place at all times.  (This is HUGE, people.  I am a work-in-progress!)

I want to be intentional with my gratitude.  I have learned at far too young of an age that life can be shorter than we expect or dream.  I don’t want to waste my time on pity parties when I have real celebrations to experience.

Let’s all purpose this next week to slow down a bit, take our focus off of our own woes, and intentionally look for our blessings, because,

“we often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.”

I don’t want to take anything for granted in this short life. 

I want to live well and love fiercely. 

I want to be sold out for Jesus! 

I think this starts with a grateful heart.