Gratitude

Maybe the life you’ve always wanted is buried deep underneath the one you already have.

We are a restless lot, those of us in the western world. Life in all of its wonder is available to us in a variety of ways never before possible since the beginning of time and we worship busy as a sign of honor and worth.

 

Perhaps the answer to a life of discontent and restlessness is not more things, but more gratefulness.

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity…it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”           Melody Beattie

We occasionally (ok, sometimes too often) can fall into the trap of looking at the success and lives of others and silently wonder what path they took to get to the place where they are. We feel like we are running in place – an out of shape jogger on a treadmill- going nowhere fast.

We find ourselves comparing and commiserating over what we don’t have, or missed out on instead of embracing the richness and beauty of the life we do have. 

Our local paper occasionally publishes ideas for families which focuses on taking a  “stay-cation”- a choice to find activities close to home, and experience them as visitors might. The idea is it is easy to take for granted the adventures nearest to us…I have lived in Michigan all of my life and I have yet to visit the Porcupine Mountains which are only a day’s drive away. It’s on my things I want to do, but because it is always there and close by, I take it for granted.

Maybe the life you’ve always wanted is buried deep underneath the one you already have. 

My prayer is to live a life rich in experiences, relationships and laughter.  Friends, family and faith are hugely important to most of us. But, am I grateful for them or do I take them for granted?

One of my goals for this year is to become more intentional in the relationships I am blessed with, both known and accidental – those I have as a daily part of my life and those God brings across my path in unexpected ways.

Maybe the life you’ve always wanted is buried deep underneath the one you already have. 

Next week is not guaranteed, nor is tomorrow.

You do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14).

• To live knowing that your life is a vapor is different than just living.
• You’ve got to hold on to what will stand.
• Savor what matters.

Today is an opportunity to make a difference.. even if it is a Monday and you are headed to a job you would rather not be going to or facing a mountain of dirty socks, dishes and wriggling littles who undo what you have done faster than you can do it.

Gratefulness and gratitude can be your mantra of choice today.

• Being thankful for a warm ,safe place to sleep and clothes to wear.
• Embracing thankfulness for friends and family who bring richness and beauty to our lives.
• Ever grateful for a God who loves no matter what.

For today, these things are enough. 

Lord, create in me a greater heart of gratitude and thankfulness for what is ever before me. Change the areas of my heart that need to be more like you. Use me to change the world today. Amen.

Blessings my reader friends… What are you grateful for today? Who can you tell how important they are to you?  Consider those closest to you.. (like a stay-cation, not taking them for granted because they are always there!)  I am focusing on my hubby this week…I forget far to often to speak life into him.. after all he is always there!!