The power of being grateful

As I was getting ready for my day a line of thought began to flow. The intention is not to be offensive or hurtful, but if your toes are in the way, perhaps this is a reminder. I too am being reminded often to be grateful for where I am and what I have. Some seasons in life are far different from what we would hope or expect. That doesn't mean they must be avoided and thrown out with last week's leftovers. There are beautiful treasures in these seasons and our job is to seek them out. These lessons help us move into the next season because without them. we would not be prepared for what is ahead.

I was a single mother with both of my sons living at home just last year. now they are grown and living elsewhere. Before that, I was in the medical field for 10 years until illness ended that season in 2021 when my job was gone. Now I am living part of the time in my friend's guest house alone. My belongings are mostly in storage and I depend on God for everything. I have a choice to see this as a blessing or to let the spirits of self-pity and frustration come in and wreak havoc. I choose peace. I do have to fight for it some days. I have to choose to see the blessings in my everyday life and to give God thanks. I choose to praise Him for all that He has done and is still doing in my life.

This is where the flow of thoughts came in. We as humans tend to want more, more, more. Or we want what we can't have and we forget how blessed we are. The ones with curly hair want their hair to be straight, while all the time there are people who just wish they had hair. They may have lost it due to chemotherapy, Alopecia, age, skin scarring, and so on. Yet those who have it, myself included get frustrated with it one way or another. color, style, heat, and any number of things. The ones without hair would likely deal with any of these issues with a grateful heart of thanksgiving if their hair were to return. The one who wears a size 10 wants to be a size 3 while the one who lost 250 pounds and has now gotten down to a size 10 is so happy they can not contain themselves. And the one who can not gain weight envies the one who feels overweight. The one with a full pantry is upset at not having chocolate in the house while others only have a can of tuna and crackers but they are thankful to have that.

Listen, this is not a bashing session. This is for liberation. A shift in view. Romans 8:6 (NASB1995), "For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace". Step out of your current situation for a moment. Look at what you have around you and who you have around you. Some days are harder than others, but there is always something to be grateful for. 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" (NASB1995).

I was scrolling on Facebook today and I saw an amazing picture of the moon that a young Indian boy created. I often ask unusual questions. I began to wonder why the moon looks so small in some photos. I remember seeing photos of people on the moon....real or not this was the thought. It looks small when there is nothing on the horizon, just a black empty void. God began to show me how our lives can look small and we can get caught up in the small space we think we are in when we do not have a view of our future. God is so gracious to give us glimpses of where He is taking us. Encouragement and nudges in the right direction help to keep us moving toward Him and His plan for our lives. Here on earth, we can see beauty in the horizon right where we are and we know that there is so much beyond what we can see from where we are at that moment. The key is to appreciate where we are right now while looking toward the horizon with wonder and excitement for what is next.

This season is for a reason, Romans 8:28 (NASB1995), "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." God is growing fruit in you that is needed to walk more closely with Him.

Galatians 5:19-23,

19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,

20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Do not despise the small spaces. small beginnings, quiet times, and solitude. The seed would feel that way when it is planted in the dark cold ground, but when everything is right, and the time has come, it will spring forth and break out of that small dark place to be what God put inside it to be. Be grateful for the time of rest, teaching, pruning, and refining, God has so much more for you beyond the horizon. Live in the now, keep your eyes on Jesus, and He will give you hope for what He has next.

In His love,

Charissa