Since I have been on the evil side of a funk lately (& let me tell you, there is no fun in funk) I think it's time for a little attitude adjustment. Nobody likes a grouch or a complainer or a crankypants. Oh, & I'm certain that it's not God's will for me to be this way.
It's time for a bit of a focus shift. I'm purposely taking my eyes off of my To Do List so that I can write this post. I am more than a little overwhelmed with things that need to be done & that is a huge part of my crankypants issues. I also still miss my mom much more than a little. I know this will never go away but I do look forward to the sharp edge dulling down just a bit. And so to put away some of my grouchy issues I'm proposing a refocus - time to think about my blessings because they are many. I hope you'll join me!
::This pic is overflowing with things I'm thankful for. It's from last night when I got to meet Beth for a run. We took a lot of time to just work out & be together. It was so good to just talk & laugh & relax. We got rained on while we were running. It wasn't a lot of rain, but I'm grateful for every drop. As we were leaving to head home we saw this rainbow. A gorgeous reminder of God's faithful promise to never flood the earth. When I see a rainbow I think of that promise but I also think of the many other promises He makes & faithfully keeps. Wow. The clematis is a pic Beth sent to me from her garden. Talk about beautiful. That intense color would have made Mom squeal.
::Psalm 43:5
Why are you cast down, O my soul, & why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation & my God.
I read this verse in my quiet time this morning. And it really fits where I am right now. I struggle with feeling so low & so agitated. I do feel hopeless about several things in my life. But this verse helps me remember that the valleys don't last forever. God is still with me & I will hope again & I will praise Him - I can praise Him for my salvation no matter what. My life won't always be what it is now. There is hope, even when my emotions lie to me & tell me that hope is gone. I must listen to truth, not emotion.
::As I continue reading in "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn I am so encouraged about eternity. It's incredibly comforting to learn about what the New Earth will be like. I never really anticipated Heaven before because I erroneously thought it would be completely foreign with nothing I would recognize. As I've done more study I have learned that isn't the case. The book has been a blessing.
::I'm grateful for church & times I can worship, even with tears streaming down my cheeks. This past Sunday I was not having a good day. A friend who spends most of her year in Florida came home & she was upset about Mom, missing her & another church family member who died recently. That was all it took to make me come undone. There were tears & sniffling & digging for tissues, but there was still blessing in worship. I'm even grateful for hymns about Heaven & other hymns like, "God Will Take Care of You." I break down just about every time we sing but the words go straight to my soul & remind me of my incredible Lord & all He has done for us - in this life & the next. How can that not affect me? It didn't use to; it does now, in a mighty way. And I'm grateful.
::I'm grateful for rest, & Fridays, & a weekend ahead. Yes, I'm going to run myself ragged with chores & activities & getting ready for the new week, but at least I won't punch a time clock for two days. Hopefully I get the house cleaned, the laundry caught up, & other junk like that. I'll also go on a canoeing trip with the youth group from church. I already know that canoeing will be super fun - even if there isn't much water due to our lack of rain. Just being outside is happiness to me. So I'll make my to do lists & try to plan the weekend & strive for some sort of balance. It probably won't work but I'll give it a shot & try to enjoy myself along the way!
::I'm grateful for some new running shoes. My feet have been hurting like who had it! The other running shoes I was wearing just weren't making the cut. I haven't had them for very long (maybe six months) so I just hated to spring for another pair ($96!) but it had to be done if I was going to keep running or if I was not going to destroy my feet. I picked out a new pair of Mizunos yesterday & on last night's test run they performed fabulously. My feet are happy, I'm happy.
::I'm thankful for Mike. He puts up with my moodiness like no other person who has ever known me (& he bears the brunt of it, poor guy). I know God made him just for me because any other man would have left running & screaming by now. Marriage isn't easy; it's hard work. And I'm grateful I'm with someone who is so worth the effort.
Kind of a rambling, wordy mess but it was just what I needed to think through today. What blessings are you focusing on today? It might mean I'm just a little bit nosey, but I'd love to hear all about it!
3 comments:
Good job for changing your focus!
I, too, struggled this week. I went to the doctor on Monday really hoping my white counts would be normal....but they weren't. I had been praying ardently that it would be God's will that I wouldn't have to have shots again...ever again. Unfortunately, that wasn't His plan. I left the doctor's office, got in my van and cried. I was so discouraged. I had been handling the shots okay, but now it seems that the time rolls around too quickly and the pain more intense. I had to stop and remind myself that God is still good, and He is the one who can help me THROUGH the struggle. I also remind myself often that there are so many others who are going through far worse circumstances, and that I should be thankful that my pain only lasts a few days at a time. I am very thankful for a powerful and yet caring God who knows my struggles and helps me deal with it all.
Praying for you as you continue to focus on God rather than the difficulties.
1 Thess. 5:18 "..give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Psalm 68:19 "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation."
Heidi, I'm so sorry that you have to continue with those shots. I know they tax you while they're supposed to be helping - grrr. I guess these lessons only make sense to us and change us with the pain they bring. I'm grateful to know that God doesn't allow any of the pain without a purpose. I'm prsying for you!
I know you do not know me. I pop over from Across my Kitchen Table every now and then. I was reminded by this post how right after my youngest brother passed away a few years ago the lump would form in my throat as soon as we started to sing certain hymns. I look back now and realize that God was there all along I never doubted it but somedays were harder then others. I pray that time will help heal your loss as well. What a blessing that you have an understanding husband to walk with you through the hard times as well as the good. :)
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