Gratitude

My heart has been heavy this past week for reasons both common and personal.

I give equal weight to my own issues, the problems my friends are weathering, and the atrocities in the news worldwide. Sometimes the burden is overwhelming, and I feel pushed into the ground.

Prayer is usually the only thing that can lift me up, so I’ve been praying a lot. But I also decided to take a bit of my own advice from my last blog post and keep perspective.

In order to do that, I will make a gratitude list today to keep my eyes focused on the positive amidst the negative.

1. James has his first soccer practice tonight. He is beyond excited and looks adorable in his little cleats. His enthusiasm is contagious, and I’m grateful for his joy. 

2. I received emails this morning from two women at church who are my friends and mentors. We are working together on a project and they are full of ideas, creativity and enthusiasm. They inspire me.
 
3. My husband wasn’t feeling well yesterday, but he still got up and went to work. He labored on Labor Day. He is the most hardworking man I know.
 
4. Silas will begin allergy shots this week. He’s not thrilled about it, but I’m grateful that there is a long-term solution to this problem. I’m also grateful that his allergies and asthma are manageable, and pray these shots will be effective in decreasing his symptoms.
 
5. My phone is a real point of contention between me and Jayson. Well, I should clarify that it’s my OCD regarding my phone and constantly checking it that causes some problems. But my phone is also my connection to my sister and pregnant best friend who are both 3000 miles away, and to Facebook and Instagram where my cousins all over the United States and Canada are posting their kids’ first-day-of-school photos, and to my friends in Japan and Indonesia and Lebanon and the Netherlands.  

6. I’m grateful that God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. His love and protection is over each of us whether we are in a Christian school, a public school, a country that allows religious freedom, or an area of oppression. He is the same, He is good, He is love, and He will be victorious over evil.
 
7. This week is New York Fashion Week. Designers will showcase their Spring 2015 ready-to-wear collections. It makes me happy to see the imagination and ingenuity of these artists.
 
8. I have a post-it on my desk with a long list of friends I want to visit with. I’m so grateful for the kind, genuine people in my life.
 
9. I’m grateful to live in California. Despite its many problems, I live in an amazing and caring community, attend an active church, have access to the mountains, and don’t have to shovel snow. I repeat, no snow.

What are you grateful for today?

OK, I’m getting off my shoebox now.