There is a song in our Church Hymn Book called 'Count your many Blessings', I have sung it since I was a child (off key of course). It is the song the jumps into my mind again and again when I am being ungrateful.
I learned in my Bible Study class that it is usually those with the most that complain the loudest. It rang so true to me. It has really helped me when I start to complain because really what I am complaining about are the abundance of blessings I have.
Like complaining every time our ice machine gets jammed and dumps ice all over our floor.
Instead of getting upset that I have to clean up ice for maybe a minute, I should focus on how lucky I am that I have a fridge at all. Besides the faulty ice maker, it is actually a very nice fridge that does it's job well.
Thanksgiving day sure enough, jam-crunch-ice everywhere.
I did not get mad. I took a deep breath and said a 2 second prayer of thanks for being able to have a fridge to keep my food cold.
I tell my kids all the time to be grateful and give thanks. As soon as they start taking things for granted, they will no longer have those blessings.
I am not immune. I feel I deserve certain things. Why? I am not sure.
Every time I feel a complaint coming out of my mouth I am going to try and turn it into a prayer of thanks.
I am grateful I heard these simple words. I am even more grateful that in my heart and soul I was ready to truly hear and understand the message.
I am grateful that I can implement this powerful practice of recognizing blessings every day.
I am also really grateful to have a son who for some unknown reason wanted me to take a picture of him 'praying' a few weeks ago so I now have a perfect picture for this post.
Oh yay! What a great thing to implement. Love this. I'm going to try it too! Joaquin today just randomly starting folding his hands in the car and saying "amen". I wish I had a camera ready. :)
ReplyDeleteEthan is so cute. Thanks for the reminder to recognize our blessings. Love, Shauna
ReplyDeleteSuch an inspiring post. I need to work on being grateful and not feeling entitled. Thanks for the reminder and such a cute picture!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful, Marie. You always get right to the heart of the matter. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard not to get frustrated with those little things--but such a great message to stop, think, and be grateful for what you do have/the more important things that DO work.
ReplyDeleteGreat reminder. When it's so busy, like this time of year, it's harder almost to keep the focus on our blessings when those little things go amuck. Odd as it sounds!!!
ReplyDeleteAmen. So well said. We need to be grateful for everything we have - and humble. That's not to say that we can't strive to have more or want more - but it simply means that we can do that while still accepting and being so grateful for anything we do have.
ReplyDeleteI have struggled with the "it's not fair" and judging/comparing myself to others who have more (or what I dream of having). But we can't control others', we can only do our best to live our best lives. We are also given different things in our lives, and those people that seem to have it good...may not at all.
Great post.
What a great photo:) I worry that my boys are not aware of how very much they have in life.
ReplyDeleteLove the last picture! I agree - its so easy to get caught up in the "stuff" that you have to realize that its best to be grateful for what you do have, not what you don't have (and probably don't need anyway!)
ReplyDeleteWhat a good strategy: don't get mad...just count your blessing. I need to try that one For Sure.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! It is SO EASY to feel entitled instead of thankful. It is so good to have holiday dedicated to thankfulness!
ReplyDeleteLovely post. I love your statement "Every time I feel a complaint coming out of my mouth I am going to try and turn it into a prayer of thanks." We discussed this very strategy in my ladies Bible class this morning. I really want to focus on this and keep this at the forefront of my mind. Love the photo of your son = priceless.
ReplyDeletesuch a sweet picture. I remember the song well too! :) I think it's about time i taught my children that one. Happy tahnksgiving. :)
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