Finding Gratitude Every Day
Happy Friday! Are you so glad the weekend is almost here? We sure are! This week has been good, but different as my husband started his new job. The next year for us will be a year of changes and transition. Change is good, but it also means being adaptable and that is not always easy. I’ve always welcomed change, but it does take me a while to get used to new paths in life. As the oldest child of 6 in my family, I’ve always been one who like to plan and know what’s going on. When schedules get switched around, I don’t always love it or handle it in the best way 🙂
I have a feeling that the next several months and year will stretch us and challenge me to completely trust God. As I’ve been praying for what’s to come, I keep hearing the word ‘gratitude‘ whispered in my ear. Being truly thankful for every moment, situation, & relationship in life. After reading Ann Voskamp’s book, One Thousand Gifts, my perspective of giving thanks has changed. She challenges readers to approach life with a heart of gratitude, even in the darkest hours of life. To list times of thankfulness each day…from soft baby cheeks to bills being paid to food on the table.
In one chapter of her book, she talks about how we really can only experience one emotion at a a time. In a moment of frustration, we can choose to be thankful and which makes it hard to feel frustrated. We get to choose–which emotion do we want to feel? Find ways to change your attitude and heart to manifest thankfulness. That’s what I’m challenging myself to do.
Thankfulness is what builds trust. We trust in God to provide, care for, and meet our needs. When we count blessings we see how many times God has been faithful in our lives. I started doing this a few weeks ago and was amazed at all that God has done in my life. He has always provided for our needs, even in ways that were surprising.
I love this quote from Ann Voskamp- “Every time fear freezes and worry writhes, every time I surrender to stress, aren’t I advertising the unreliability of God? That I really don’t believe? But if I am grateful to the Bridge Builder for the crossing of a million strong bridges, thankful for a million faithful moments, my life speaks my beliefs and I trust Him again.”
It’s all about perception, isn’t it – how we perceive the world around us?! Fantastic post – thank you for linking with Ultimate Moms!
Thank you so much for this post! I have enjoyed looking through your blog, it is such a blessing. Check out Sunshine PenPals and join the fun!http://sunshinepenpals.blogspot.com/
Thank you, Donna! Praise God that it has blessed you.
Angela, this is so beautiful — every moment is a blessing, so important to hear. I can’t believe I haven’t read the book yet!! I love Ann’s blog and I have to read it –heading to the library later ♥
Thanks so much, Amy! Yes, you need to read this book! Hope you picked it up at the library! Let me know how you like it.
I love your heart sweet friend! I miss you. Isn’t that funny!? We’ve never met in person, but I miss you. I feel like this move has swallowed me and I haven’t been able to connect, email, and read my favorite blogs because of it. This was such a great post for me to read today. So encouraging! I can so relate about change and liking a plan as being the oldest girl out of nine. I wish we could go to one of these blog conferences and hang out a whole weekend! Some day. I read One Thousand Gifts last year. Amazing book-I think I need to go back and reread it now. Hang in there friend! We can stand in the gap with each other-transitioning and lifting each other in prayer! Love you!
Erica!! I know–I miss you, too! It is funny, but I do feel like I know you. Let’s schedule a blog conference together sometime this year…I would love that! Yes, I’m sure the move has been challenging. We’ll hopefully be moving this summer, so I have that to look forward to.
I’m so glad this was an encouragement to you…I felt God tugging at my heart to share. Thank you for being a great friend and for praying for us! I will be praying for you- love you too, friend!
Yes, looking for God’s gifts tucked into even the most difficult of seasons is such a wonderful blessing. It’s helped me stay sane amidst all of the changes we’ve had in recent years with my husbands career as well.
Great to hear that it helped you. Thanks for sharing! I’ve loved your 10 day series so far–great job!
Angela – thank you for this post. I also read 1,000 Gifts and took so much away from it. I have the 1,000 Gifts app that I utilize, but it has been a few weeks since I have remembered to sit down and intentionally input my thankfuls into it. We also keep a family gratitude journal that we write in after our evening meal. I am trying to cultivate an attitude of gratefulness in my children as well – our society can sometimes make that difficult with all that is available to us. thank you for the reminder to put on gratefulness today and remove the attitude of selfishness that can so easily creep in at times.
Ooh I should get that app. That would be an easy way to keep track of my thoughts. I love that you are trying to cultivate gratitude in your children–something I need to do as they get older. Thank you for your kind words, Susan!
Angela I so agree with your message today. Gratitude, God deserves it for all He gives. I like when we don’t show gratitude we are saying God is not enough or His way is not perfect. I’m praying for your move. Will miss you but will keep tract through Teaching Mama. You know I’m beyond having little ones around but being a former teacher I love your blog. God bless
Oh my, it is so true that when we don’t show gratitude, we are saying God is not enough. Thank you for your prayers! You are so sweet.
What a blessing – thank you so much for sharing. Being thankful is a great way to handle ‘life’. The quote was something I needed this morning. Love n prayers!
Thank you! 🙂 I love that quote too…I’ve been pondering on that a lot lately. Hope all is well!