Simply Being Thankful
“What if you woke up this morning, and had only the things you thanked God for yesterday?”
This question really began to bother me a few months ago.
You ever have this happen? When a challenging question like that, ends up leading to God shedding light on your actual reality… a reality that may not actually be one you are so pleased with anymore?
My answer to this question, was sad. Depressing. I think many days I would find myself waking up as one of the loneliest people around. I was immaculately inept in the practice of giving thanks and living that way.
I was long overdue to put into practice the habit of gratitude. Of being thankful. Of not rushing through my days, taking for granted all of the amazingness that God has blessed me with (none of which I deserve!) And I was insanely skeptical of the new habit I wanted to launch in my life. Why? Because I am a professional at starting stuff, and letting it fade away, never to be heard from again. (Sorta like the church camp relationships that have been blossoming the last few days)
What did I do? Well, I simply started being thankful.
On May 3rd, I pulled out a notebook that had been living the dark, secluded life of a hobbit, in my book bag for months. I flipped over until I arrived to the 4th page of the notebook. Thats because the first page contained my presentation notes for my substitute teacher class presentation on eating a balanced breakfast for kindergartners and pages 2-3 were notes I had scribbled down about our taxes.
Page 4. The first blank page I had available. Completely available, and ready to be invaded with the shaky pen strokes from my right hand, commonly seen in mens handwriting all across the world.
I wrote Monday, May 3rd on the top right corner of the page. And on the top left came the words- Today I Am Thankful For.
(Today I Am Thankful For)
An example of what the start of my days look like. This was the start of this morning.
And then I simply began to give thanks. We all could fill up page after page of ways God has blessed us and we would never exhaust His goodness. Knowing that, I chose to stick with around 8-10 things every day.
What happened next was pretty stinking cool!
I was starting my days, giving credit where credit was due- that any and everything good in my life is because of God. Period. Now, every morning, my perspective of my role in this world, was slowly unraveling and becoming a little less distorted, as I was now constantly being reminded WHO my story is all about! Ah! God can teach us in so many different ways.
The speed of my emotions slowed down a little. No, our boys didn’t magically start allowing us 8 hours of sleep helping us to be well rested. (Sleep in our home is similar to Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade on his quest for the Holy Grail) Nor did they stop doing the things that kids do that leave us parents completely overwhelmed at times of how to be and feel like the parent you think they deserve! But I was now more thankful for not just the good but also the struggles from home to work and everywhere in between. And the people along the way. I found myself able to listen and observe more, instead of rushing and overlooking. A practice that has great potential to reciprocate thankfulness.
My heart grew softer (and maybe a little bigger- Grinch style?!) Sometimes, we get frustrated at people. Lol. Imagine that. But when I started giving thanks for them, even the ones I wasn’t too happy with, my heart grew softer. Hard hearts hurt others recklessly. Soft hearts sooth others intentionally. I was daily finding myself responding to situations much more delicately than I once would have. Simply being thankful! I guess more like the Grinch that I thought!
If giving thanks daily is already a habit of yours, you are light years ahead of where I was! Kudos to you, and I have no doubt that your life reflects the kindness that God longs for us to live. But if you find yourself more like me, overlooking so much good from the Lord, start by simply being thankful. Do it in a way that helps you to slow down, and look for the good, even if you feel like there is none to be found. Good is always there. You just have to look for it, and giving thanks, always reveals GOOD!
Here are a few of the things that I have scribbled in my notebook of things I am thankful for.
Ashley- her love and how she believes in me and supports my goals. Brantley’s sweetness after just waking up. The boys laughter and love for things that I often view as meaningless. Miranda’s smile. Mom and Dad’s unending pursuit of wanting the best for Jonathan, Miranda, myself and so many others. Christmas music. Fans. Sound sleep. Ashley’s health. Hot sauce. Glad Tidings Church and H2O. Rest. My job. F3. DSS. Tennis Shoes. Paisley and her quirky ways. The cross. My leaders at H2O and other ministries. Morning car rides with the boys. Date nights with Ashley. My students at H2O. PT. Sleep. Fans. Daycare. God’s unrelenting love. Netflix. Books. Bojangles. Technology. Sleep. 75 Hard. Friends. John Michaelson and my Youth Pastor and ministry peeps. Wednesday Nights at H2O. Our facilities and resources at Glad Tidings. Parking lot team. Greeters. Ushers. The staff I work with. Miranda’s nurses. My nieces. The boys grandparents. Mrs. Mary. The boys godparents. The boys bio family. Sinks to wash poop off shoes. Church clothes. Time alone with Ashley. Running. Forgiveness. Jesus. Chocolate Milk. Griswold and Purplerain. Foster kids. Endurance. Cell phones. Worship. Dreams. Jesus. Ashley. Sleep. Fans. (These are just SOME of the things from the month of May)
Just typing these things has completely changed my heart once again! How? Simply being Thankful! Go try it. And let me know how it impacts you!
“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens.”
#todaysgonnabeagoodday
