Monday, November 18, 2013

When I forgot to be thankful...


As soon as my little one got over his illness, I started sneezing and coughing. Nothing bad, just an annoyance...until Saturday night at work. I was feeling worse and worse as the night went on, trying to cover my coughing so that my patients wouldn't worry that I was breathing cootie germs all over their newborn infants. On Sunday morning when I got into bed, I could not breathe. I tossed and turned and coughed and sniffed until noon, when I picked up the phone to call work to let them know I wouldn't be back in that night.

I still could not sleep. I was so frustrated. I felt pitiful and I couldn't shake it. It wasn't just the physical feelings either. It was as if things would never be better. I'm certain sleep deprivation was a big part of it, but I whined and complained and no matter what anyone offered me, I just felt more and more sorry for myself. 

Today, I am still in my pjs at 2:00 in the afternoon. Jonathan stayed home sick today too. Honestly,  he seems fine to me, but this morning I slept right through the morning routine and barely remember talking to anyone about it.

A few hours ago, I was catching up on my Bible study. I am currently doing the Thanksgiving study with Good Morning Girls. I was reading Thursdays lesson when it hit me. 

{Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.}   Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV


The reason I was so pitiful and miserable yesterday was because I forgot to be thankful. How simple a problem to fix. It is so tempting to get caught up in our ailments and problems and tough circumstances, but it only brings us down. 

I have seen people everywhere, Christians and non-Christians alike posting blessings and things they are grateful for all month. Facebook, Instagram, Blogs and so on are overflowing with numbers and photos and such. It's time I join in. To write them out. To be thankful in my circumstances and to recognize that right where I am, I am so very blessed. 

For starters...

Forgiveness.
Family.
My marriage.
Our children.
Food in the fridge.
Heat.
A hot shower.
Cars that run.
Our home.
My job.
Pandora.


I know you know it's true. No matter what your circumstance, someone else has it much worse. That is not a reason to be thankful in itself, but it is a reminder that blessings abound for all of us. We can live fully even in our sickness, and in our misbehaving children, our financial struggles, our need for sleep, and whatever else finds you lacking in your circumstances....because we have been given so much. 

{Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.} 
 1 Timothy 1:15-17 NIV

Happy Season of Thanksgiving! 
Join the movement already in progress. 

3 comments:

  1. Can I just tell you thank you? Your post reminded me that I had neglected my daily scripture study. And when I opened my book, I turned right to a passage about gratitude, even in the midst of difficulty. Thanks for being my angel today.

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    1. Oh girl....for as many times as your words have encouraged me...you are so welcome.

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  2. While I was going through some health issues lately, I forgot to be thankful and I was too scared sometimes to even pray. I love what you said about living fully even in the hard times. I need to get better at doing that, because life will always have good times and really hard times as well. Beautiful post!

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