~An Attitude of Gratitude~

     Good evening   my readers. I hope tonight you are in good spirits, though I know there are many of you who are having such a tough time. If I can do anything to put a smile on your face, even from across the miles that lay between us, I hope I can at least encourage you in the midst of what you’re dealing with?

    The last few days have been tough on me, my pain was terrible and I did all I could to just get out of bed. I finally was able to get up and I looked into my husband eyes, and I felt thankful beyond words to be alive.Tongights topic is “Having an Attitude of Gratitude, in the midst of our Storms” Like many of you out there I’ve had my share of heartache and pain, of all kinds, but I’ve also had my share of JOY and happy times and I have much to be thankful for.

   When pain of any kind ravages our bodies and souls, it’s hard to see the sun through the rain clouds that gather. My pain was so severe  as much as I was looking forward to going to our community group tonight  at church, I couldn’t, but instead of  focusing on  what I could not do tonight, I chose to catch up on my body’s rest, then I took some time to do my devotions and be encouraged by Gods words.  Then  since I was able to , I said I think I will do a entry in my IC blog, to encourage all those who need a uplifting word, because I know many of you are in pain. Many can’t get out of bed, or you’re recovering from some kind of surgery.

     If I could give you my smile I would, right now, even through the tears that fall, being able to encourage you this way, brings unimaginable joy to my heart. So how do we have a attitude of gratitude if were in so much pain, if things around us, seem as though they just keep falling apart at the seams.  I read a quote from a book  titled “Everyday Grace” by Marianne Williamson and the quote is as follows” happiness is not what happens when everything goes as we have planned, happiness happens when we decide to be happy”

     I stopped at that quote in mid sentence… happiness doesn’t depend on our circumstances. Its not easy, it’s a struggle, sometimes you may realize you don’t have much to smile about, but there is always something to find a reason to smile again, all those little reminders, that pop up in our daily lives.

   It rained and snowed a little today, though I hate snow and rain because of the cold, I love hearing the pitter patter of the rain on the windowsill; it’s so soothing to fall asleep to. Though days are few that I don’t find myself in agony, on every day that I can function and move around and live life, I take in every drop, and ive learned to not take those days for granted, and when I can I do something on those days to take my mind off of me and reach out and encourage you.

   This past weekend we had our goddaughter and nephew over for the weekend, even though we have no children of our own, except the little one we lost, who is now in heaven, we take in every moment we get to spend with those precious little ones, the joy they bring us, we cannot put into words, our goddaughters little giggle and her dimples, her smile that lights up a room. Hearing my nephew say to me im the best auntie, words that truly melt my heart, that right there are two reasons to keep me going, who brings our hearts joy, those moments are priceless. By weekends end I was so tired, from keeping up with their energy, but I’m thankful I have the opportunity to be worn out by children, who we love as our very own.

   The nights that don and I just lie in bed and talk and laugh about everything under the sun, sharing my life with my soul mate and best friend. Those days that ive gone over to see my grandmother and just sit at the table and have a cup of tea with her and my grandfather and just hear about their lives and share with each other, those are the moments that make up LIFE… these are the moments that give our hearts moments to sing, to be thankful and make us realize we are alive, we have things to be grateful for.

  The weeks that my best friend comes over, we laugh, we cry, we pray, we make memories together, the times I can chat online to my other best friend who lives in another state, but our hearts are still, as if we are not apart. The weeks I help in the church nursery, and I get to share the Love of Christ with these precious babies and little ones, watching them play, and give me hugs, these are moments, which our hearts take pictures of.

     We know that those who have chosen to be happy are those who have suffered the most. When life’s simple pleasures are taken away, when things we once could do with ease, are taken away, when priceless moments come along, we raise our cup of life to them, we bask in their beauty, every drop, we  this in such a way we had never done before in  days, when  maybe we took those precious gifts for granted. They were here today and gone the next.

  Every time you look at your children, say a prayer of gratitude, for many cannot have children, or are trying, like my husband and I, don’t let those precious moments drift away, without taking in their value. When you have support, be thankful, many do not, may walk alone, and we were never meant to walk this road of life alone. I’m grateful I can read Gods word without fear of persecution, which many encounter.

    So love more passionately, embrace life, and take in every drop of beauty around us, see what others cannot see. Those days its beautiful go for a walk and enjoy the beauty, for many who cannot see, yearn to look upon that same beauty we go by day after day without second thoughts, if you can get out of bed, find something to do that will bring joy or a smile to someone else, it only takes a word to bring a smile to another s face. And maybe your situation won’t change, but your perspective will, and you will find that you are accumulating an attitude of gratitude, even through our pain.