Monday, January 10, 2011

Grateful


  Gratitude.  What, exactly, is gratitude?  The dictionary defines gratitude as; "thanks:  a feeling of being thankful to somebody for doing something".  Hummm.. How do I live a life full of gratitude, first to my Savior and then to others around me?

   I want to live a life filled with gratitude, always being thankful and full of grace, yet I find it increasingly difficult.  I am grateful that Christ loves me, and that I am His.  It's being grateful for the little things I struggle with, but I think its really all about perception. 

   If I look at life with a cup half full view I will always be disappointed.  Take, for example, today,  it's my day off, I need to home school our son, clean the house, catch up on at least five loads of laundry, make a meal for a friend,  tag uniforms to resale, take my son to Jui Jitsu and create a delicious dinner for the family.  To top the whole day off I have a pounding headache.  Yikes!  I'm getting depressed just looking at my list, and I only really wanted to use it as a illustration.  :)

   Now if I view my day with an attitude of gratitude things look drastically different.  Today I got to wake up on this wonderful winter day to my kids and hubby.  I have the whole day to devote to my family.  I get to catch up on laundry and some house work that has been slacking.  Woo hoo- no more feet sticking to the kitchen floor!  That's a win- trust me!  I get to make a yummy dinner for a friend who's on a difficult journey.  I sure love her and our friendship!  I get to tag resale items for the kid's school, which means eventually I have a little extra cash.  I get to watch Christian practice Jui Jitsu tonight- he is developing skillz.  To top it off, we are going to have an awesome dinner tonight-I'm making chicken with zucchini and tomatoes. Yum!





     I'm grateful for today and those I get to spend it with.  I am going to spend this week thanking God for His abundant blessings!  It's all about perception and attitude.  Are you going to have an attitude of gratitude today?


Blessings to you and yours!



Linking up with Multitudes on Monday @ http://www.aholyexperience.com/.

9.  Jokes made up by my 11 year old.

10.  A husband who whispers "you're beautiful" during church.

11.  Looking at my chocolate eyed daughter concentrating on her homework.

12.  Chats with my girl friends.

13.  Quite with my bible.

14.  Floors that aren't sticky.

15.  Sunlight on golden hair.

2 comments:

Jennifer Interiors said...

Shannon, thanks for the reminder to slow down and take time to express gratitude to our Savior and Heavenly Father for this wonderful life we get to experience. Hope you have a great day/week!

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am ready to cut vinyl now. Let me know if you are still interested. I LOVE that scripture in Jeremiah too!
Jen :)

jeana said...

Love your blessings! Number 10 is precious!