Every morning when I write in my prayer journal, I start with seven things I’m grateful for. That keeps me focused on my multitudes of blessings, instead of the squeaky wheels. I haven’t ALWAYS done this, of course–I originally read about keeping a gratitude journal in Sarah Ban Breathnach’s groundbreaking book, “Simple Abundance”–and her recommendation is choosing five things to be thankful for. Sometimes, I record the same things, day after day. Other times, there’s some variety. It’s so easy to forget how blessed we really are–even when circumstances seem difficult in the extreme.
Some of the things I’m grateful for today are: God is always ready to give us a do-over, a new beginning, no matter what. (How great is that?) My new rocking chairs, placed on the deck. As the weather gets warmer, I plan to sit outside when I have my Quiet Time. (Nature, some folks say, is the visible body of God, and I believe it.) Amy’s Breakfast Burritos. (Hey, not everything on the list has to be profound. 🙂 I love these things, and they’re hard to find, here in Spokane at least. Rosaur’s, freezer section.)
Here’s another blessing: the new bathtub goes in today. It might not be hooked up, but it goes in. 🙂
The renovations were on my gratitude list this morning, as it happens. Sure, it’s inconvenient, but the changes will be well worth the wait.
My own personal Woody the Woodpecker was on there, too–a sacrificial ‘thank you’, you might say, because the critter drives me crazy sometimes. I’m believing there’s a reason for Woody’s presence, just as there is a reason for everything else.
🙂
Be strong.
About Linda
The daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West.
Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a horse property outside Spokane.
