{ Gratitude, God's Battle and Go Slow }

It is the 5th of January.  The whole world is filled with resolutions, plans, goals and all sorts of lists of things that people want to accomplish in the new year.

I've never been one for resolutions, I've mentioned it ad nauseum, but every year I do strive to change something or better myself in an area.  I don't pressure myself to do it because without a doubt, that simple act of telling myself to do it will send me spiraling backwards or in the complete opposite direction of where I intended to go.

{ In all things give thanks }

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 

* 1 Thessalonians 5:18 *

I sat on my couch and looked around the living room.  All my little corners, things here and there that I lovingly set down with the purpose of making it homey.

Even those things that were just set down without a second thought, like my glasses on the book I'm currently reading.  Pieces of me, of my soul, of my likes and dislikes.

I like to think of them as small glimpses into my soul, into what makes me tick, what I'm all about. It's these little bits and bobs that will give anyone who enters my home, a bit of an understanding about who I am as a person.

And surprisingly enough, they also at times serve as a reminder, to myself, about who I am and who I want to be, and more importantly who I want to portray myself as here on earth.  On those days where I'm feeling down or a little lost, it helps to have a visual reminder, to be  able to shift my eyes around the room, from one spot to the other and always see something that is sure to make me smile and feel thankful.

"In all things give thanks".  This verse seems to pop into my mind quite frequently, it's almost as if God is sending me little hints, reminding me of what really matters, and it's not the little things that bother us, like the fact that I feel like I can't catch a break from laundry, or the nagging allergies that out of the blue hit me like a ton of bricks, or maybe the potty accident that Marley once again had in the house.

And I do, I really do give thanks in everything in my life and whatever is going on around me, even the hard moments because they're learning moments,even if we don't see them at the time.

I am so thankful, so blessed.  I have a beautiful family, a husband who loves me and respects me, beautiful children, we are all healthy, we have adorable pets and a beautiful big house.

Our pantry and fridge are full, we have water and electricity, a roof over our heads and a permanent stable source of income.

Every single thing in this house, was bought by us, or gifted to us out of love, or handmade by either my husband or I.  Even the big yards have been worked on by our own hands.  Hours upon hours in the scorching sun, blisters on the hands, and annoying prickly weeds stuck to our fingers and shoes.

 

Even in those moments when I'm tired and sweaty and clammy, and really disliking being outside, I find that the minute I step into my home, it all disappears, and I'm once again awash with gratitude.

It wasn't always this easy for me, but for a couple of years I have tried extremely hard to live a life of gratitude, to practice daily thanksgiving, and it's changed my outlook on life completely.  It's become second nature, the minute something good happens, whatever it may be, big or small, I immediately thank the Lord, without even thinking about it, it just slips right out of my mouth "Thank you Father, thank you so much".