I had an application rejected the other day. I had worked hard on it and thought I had it. When I got the notice it was rejected, it hit me like a punch in the stomach. It kinda took the air out of me that day. It depressed me all day because I had looked forward to what it would provide for me and my family. I kept thinking about what I did wrong.
Getting into my car that evening, a co-worker said, 'nice car Al.' When I heard the words, a feeling came over me. I stood there and felt as if God was talking to me. Then it hit me. I had focused all day on what I didn't have. I was moping around feelng sorry for myself. But when I really thought about it, my problem was minor. There were people without a car, who lost there homes to foreclosure, who are unemployed due to the recession. I know people that are batting cancer. I have a friend, a member of our youth group who just lost her mom. I have students whose parents are deployed for the fourth of fifth time. And here I was being ungrateful all day. I felt really guilty.
At that moment, I thanked God for my blessings. I asked him to forgive me for being selfish and not appreciative of the things I had. Yes, my life would have been easier if I had gotten what wanted. But in my disappointment, I wasn't seeing all the blessings in my life. The pain of disappointment is soothed by a heart of gratitude. Be blessed.
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Praise God! Revel in His peace and trust in His timing. Thought I'd share this redneck variation of a popular poem. =) Stay encouraged! x0xo
ReplyDeleteI AM GRATEFUL
FOR THE WIFE WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT, BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME, AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.
FOR THE HUSBAND WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO, BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.
FOR THE TEENAGER WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.
FOR THE TAXES I PAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED .
FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.
FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.
FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME
FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN WALK AND HAVE A CAR.
FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.
FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.
FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.
FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.
Love it. Being content and having the ability to count our blessings inspite of our circumstances is a sign of spiritual maturity.
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