Thoughtful Thursday and Thankfulness...

Today I am thankful for this word of wisdom I found while studying a bit about Gratitude.

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity.... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."~~Melody Beattie

I came across this quote last night. When I read it, it was as if the light was turned on in a darkened room. I really don't know how else to explain it. I think Oprah used to call it an "Ah ha moment". Whatever it was, the truth of the statement rang so clearly, that it startled me. If we could show some thankfulness, if we could be satisfied with what we have, with what we've been given...it will unlock the fulness of life.

I believe that God has given me everything - all the tools - that I need to be happy. I just need to use them, to apply them, to put them to work. I have met and have heard about people that are never happy because they are always looking for more. They are never satisfied with where they are. I am not against following your dreams and bettering yourself -I am talking about those that wallow in self-pity or spend all their time and energy on moving to the top. Only to get there and realize that it still does not bring them happiness.

I heard a man say, "If you don't have what you like, learn to like what you have." Wow. That would save many of us so much drama. We live in a world where instant gratification is key. Bigger is better. Well, guess what? It isn't the key and it isn't always better. Once you've been there, done that - you realize that SIMPLE is key and ENOUGH is best.

Did you read the part of the quote that said "It turns problems into gifts, failures into success..."? How could that be? Well, it's all in an attitude of gratitude. I live in Southern California and the traffic here leaves something to be desired, to say the least. When traffic is completely stopped sometimes (a lot of times) and I know I'm going to be late for something, I have to realize that I can do nothing about it and that maybe whoever is the cause of the delay is having a worse day than me. I then say a prayer that whatever it is, that no one is hurt or in danger. Am I holier than thou or a spiritual giant? Hardly. I have just realized to be thankful in all things.

About two and a half years ago, God did some big things in my family. I was scared, confused, saddened - I felt lost. I didn't see how our situation could ever be looked at "for the good". Guess what? It was. God had a plan. Was it my plan? Oh, no. No way. We only see what's in front of us, but He sees the big picture.

What has gone on or is going on in your life that you were upset or bitter or hurt about? Can you try and find gratitude in it? Can you find the courage, the strength to accept it? If you can, you may find yourself feeling more free, more complete, more happy and more empowered than you ever have.

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, ...and be ye thankful.

Thoughtful Thursday: A Brand New Day...

There are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs. Someone once told me that we needed wisdom daily, so there was one chapter for each day of the month....Anyway, on the 30th of September, I accidentally started reading Psalm 30 instead of Proverbs 30. I knew I was in the wrong book after reading two or three verses, but I went ahead and kept reading. I am so glad that I did. Of course, it was no accident after all. I have been thinking about the wonderful study I had that day and thought I would share a bit with you here.

In Psalm 30, David talked about an experience he had when he went from complete sadness to joy in a very short amount of time. He said in verse 11, "Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing." Well, that was great for David, but sometimes we can go from dancing to mourning or from joy to sorrow in just a moment. We keep waiting for "joy to come in the morning" as verse 5 says, but sorrow just seems to want to linger!

It may be an illness, death of a loved one, a broken relationship, a wayward child or financial hardship. It may be a dream that has been shattered or a goal that has fallen by the wayside. What happened to those goals we set? Did you set a goal to read through your Bible, lose weight, get out of debt, make new friends, get more organized, forgive someone....? You probably feel sick over it. If you are like me, those things will tend to make your heart heavy. Proverbs 13:12 says, "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick." It's no surprise that we would feel bad. We have let other things distract us, we have let ourselves think that we were being too "lofty", we put blame on others for our unfulfilled dreams and goals.

Philippians 3:13-14 says, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Isn't this an encouraging verse? Forget about all of those things at which you've "failed". You can dream again. You can hope and set goals. You can forgive someone - really forgive them. Problems may always seem to loom over us, casting darkness and night our way, but joy WILL come in the morning. Press on - reach forth and welcome your brand new day!

Thoughtful Thursdays: Weathering the Storm...

I was watching the news the other night as hurricane Ike rained down his fury through Texas. I watched as brave newsreporters tried to hold their ground and not be blown off into the next state. You can bet that after hurricane Katrina, most people are going to take these things more seriously.

My thoughts took me to some storms that I (and friends and family) have had to face. There are always so many questions - so many intense feelings and reactions. It could be a storm where someone's health is in jeopardy. It could be a financial or marital storm. It could be circumstances of change that have somehow turned your life upside down.

Do you remember the story in Matthew 14:22-33? Jesus had instructed His disciples to get into the ship and meet Him on the other side. He KNEW they would be in that ship when the storm hit! The verses talk about Peter as he left the ship to meet Jesus on the water. When the waves started to get violent, he became afraid and started to sink. He called out to Jesus. These verses show me that Christ took his hand and walked him back to the boat. He did not automatically make the waves stand still. Sometimes, we have to endure the storm, go through it all the way - but He will be with you through it. You may have to call on Him, but He will be there to carry you. He did not leave Peter's side.

There is another story that is found in Mark 4:35-41. The disciples were in a ship again. This time Jesus was already with them when the storm came. The waves were coming up over the boat and I can imagine that they feared for their life. Where was Jesus? He was asleep! He was not worried. The disciples even woke Him and asked if He even cared if they died. It is so easy for us to question God. Sometimes, my faith is so small and I forget to ask God for peace and understanding. Instead, I waste my energy with worry and panic.

I think that sometimes, it is even harder to understand and accept the storms that are in our life when all we are trying to do is live for Him and serve Him. Let us remember that if we are where He wants us, then He is there too. As a matter of fact, I know that He never leaves us. He has something that we need to learn. He is making us stronger for something ahead. He is making us realise that our priorities need to be in order. He knows, even if we don't know.

I love the song Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns and Jesus, Bring the Rain by Mercy Me. Both songs are in my playlist on my sidebar. Have a listen to the words. I pray that these songs, along with the Scripture that I've shared will help you to weather the storm.