Thank You For?

Have you heard of an "attitude of gratitude"?  I have, but I certainly am struggling with it now.  I'm especially bound by two niggling little (comparatively speaking) issues.  First, I'm not fully recovered from my November 29th surgery. "Come on, it's been 7 weeks!" I say in my grumpiest voice, though most often I'm only talking to myself, or maybe I'm talking to God.  I don't appreciate my own complaining, so I suppose God doesn't either.  The other issue I'm not too appreciative of is the winter weather.  Most people I meet are thankful that we are having a much milder, less snowy winter than usual here in Wisconsin.  Well, I still don't like it; I hate being cold!

I was reading today in a magazine from the Disabled American Veterans; the chaplain wrote a message in there for me.  Just in case it might be for you as well, I'll share some of it.  This is from the National Chaplain, Dr. Charles W. Edwards, Jr.

• Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.  If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
• Be thankful when you don't know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
• Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement.
• Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character.
• Be thankful for your mistakes.  They will teach you valuable lessons.
• It's easy to be thankful for the good things.  A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

These are words that I needed today.  What is it that you don't want to be thankful for?  Are you ready for that "rich fulfillment" the chaplain talks about?  I hope I can learn this soon.

Blessings in Abundance

Being in the midst of taking care of our garden produce (tomatoes and cucumbers), it seems like that would be abundance enough.  When some in our world have so little to eat, we never go hungry.

I went to visit my sis JoAnn in the hospital this week, and was excited to see her out of bed, doing therapy, and demanding (she is a bit anxious) that someone move her wheelchair to the outside courtyard and then to a roomy spot indoors when the rain caught us.  She is making progress much quicker than anyone expected.  When we pray for something to happen, why are we surprised when it does happen?

JoAnn (and all our family) received another blessing this week--JoAnn's first granddaughter was born, beautiful and healthy.  Steve and Annie already have 3 adorable little boys, and now they can get ready to spoil their little sister.  The miracle of birth heals our hearts in so many ways.

I am reminded that "every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father . . ." (James 1:17)  That reminds me also, to count those blessings, to set my mind on good things, and always to be thankful.

I'm sure you have blessings also, possibly ones that you have forgotten about.  Try counting them up, and be thankful.

Blessed by Beauty

I was outside late again tonight and was able to view the most awesome sunset that seemed to go on and on.  Last evening, just before sunset, the cloud formations were so incredibly beautiful, and sadly, I didn't have my camera with me.  The night before, July 4, we watched the city fireworks right from our backyard, as we were sitting by a campfire; when that ended, the stars were spectacular.  I often wonder why I am so blessed by beauty.  The author Scott Peck began one of his books with the words, "Life is not fair."  I have occasionally felt it wasn't fair to me, but through most of my life, I have had the best. I can do very little for the poor locked into city tenements or African villages without even clean water.  Nor can I cure cancer or heal crippled children.  I don't have the ability to employ the unemployed or end the wars or solve any of the world's big problems.  However, what I can do, I must do.  Above all, let none of us take our blessings for granted!  Today, I choose to be thankful.