"Jerk" I muttered under my breath as the shuttlebus pulled away. I had just missed him, and though rationally I knew he didn't see me, I wasn't feeling rational. I felt angry and took it personally. Huffing up the hill to the hospital where I spend a third of my life, I passed a man in a wheelchair with no legs. I didn't even notice him. I was too busy mentally berating the shuttle driver for making me walk up the hill, when I could have ridden around the block. I could have waited on the next bus, but I wanted to be mad.
Still stinging from the denial of a promotion I requested, I decided that I had a right to be mad. I mentally ticked off every reason I had to be in a bad mood. Like a child stomping her foot and screaming it's not fair, I mentally argued with God. "I don't want to be in this place! I want to do something different for a living. I want to live on the coast, and I want to be with my family, not in an institution every day! This HURTS! I want to change my life!"
Tears spilled over in frustration as I wrestled with my office door. The key stuck once in a while, and of course, today would be the day. A coworker walked by. He was forever smiling and singing in the hallway. Fiddling with my key, I asked how he was that morning. Speaking as much out of courtesy, I was trying not to dissolve into a messed-up puddle of angry me. "THANKFUL!" he almost shouted. I'm living in the best country in the world, working in the air-condidtion, able-bodied to feed my family, and grateful I have problems cause it means I'm still breathing!" spoken with the sweetest smile and truest conviction.
With that statement, my key unstuck and I suddenly felt so ashamed of myself. I called a hard-working man a jerk for no reason, passed a man with no legs without even a nod, and felt sorry for myself for working in a job I do not just love. God has a way of calling you out.
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
God tells us to be thankful in all circumstances. Not just when we get things we want, or when we are in places we enjoy, but in ALL circumstances.
Walking up the hill, I should be thankful I can walk when many can't. Reporting to work, I should be grateful I have a job, when many don't. Living where I live, I should praise Him I have a home, when many are without shelter. Missing my family during the day should make me grateful I have people who love me and someone to miss. Many are lonely.
Cultivating thankfulness is a practiced state of mind, but one we as Christians are expected to assume. It takes practice and an ongoing committment to shifting focus from the perceived negative circumstance to the Father. He knows our struggles and He has a plan for each of us.
What are some ways you practice thankfulness? What are some of your struggles? Share in the comments below!
Coming soon an introduction to some great girls on a blog hop!
Still stinging from the denial of a promotion I requested, I decided that I had a right to be mad. I mentally ticked off every reason I had to be in a bad mood. Like a child stomping her foot and screaming it's not fair, I mentally argued with God. "I don't want to be in this place! I want to do something different for a living. I want to live on the coast, and I want to be with my family, not in an institution every day! This HURTS! I want to change my life!"
Tears spilled over in frustration as I wrestled with my office door. The key stuck once in a while, and of course, today would be the day. A coworker walked by. He was forever smiling and singing in the hallway. Fiddling with my key, I asked how he was that morning. Speaking as much out of courtesy, I was trying not to dissolve into a messed-up puddle of angry me. "THANKFUL!" he almost shouted. I'm living in the best country in the world, working in the air-condidtion, able-bodied to feed my family, and grateful I have problems cause it means I'm still breathing!" spoken with the sweetest smile and truest conviction.
With that statement, my key unstuck and I suddenly felt so ashamed of myself. I called a hard-working man a jerk for no reason, passed a man with no legs without even a nod, and felt sorry for myself for working in a job I do not just love. God has a way of calling you out.
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
God tells us to be thankful in all circumstances. Not just when we get things we want, or when we are in places we enjoy, but in ALL circumstances.
Walking up the hill, I should be thankful I can walk when many can't. Reporting to work, I should be grateful I have a job, when many don't. Living where I live, I should praise Him I have a home, when many are without shelter. Missing my family during the day should make me grateful I have people who love me and someone to miss. Many are lonely.
Cultivating thankfulness is a practiced state of mind, but one we as Christians are expected to assume. It takes practice and an ongoing committment to shifting focus from the perceived negative circumstance to the Father. He knows our struggles and He has a plan for each of us.
What are some ways you practice thankfulness? What are some of your struggles? Share in the comments below!
Coming soon an introduction to some great girls on a blog hop!