Removing Grumpiness With Gratitude

Jesus said that he came to give life, 

and that more abundantly. 

I try to live in that abundance, focused on the beauty of the day,

the eternal matters, and enjoying the blessings God has graciously bestowed upon us.

  There are days when that does not happen, though. 

Days when the children stand back, wide eyed, wondering what is going on with mama. 

As I grow older, I pray those days become fewer and farther between. 

At the end of such a day, it is difficult for me to go to bed

without having another stab at altering my frame of mind. 

Romans says to renew your mind by reviewing what is good.

Philippians advises giving thanks to gain peace and contentment. 

So, at the end of a roller coaster day, 

I am going to do just that.

I am thankful that our oldest son, John, shot a nice big fat black bear,

that will provide our family with hundreds of pounds of meat,

gallons of lard, and a beautiful hide to grace the walls with.

I am thankful that this is Farmboy and not me.

 

I am thankful for the first snow to have been today.

  I needed a reason to celebrate, 

and we have a tradition of making festive the first snow 

by baking and decorating sugar cookies,

and cutting out paper snowflakes.

I am thankful for a lovely, romantic home,

snugly set in the woods 

where we can be cozy warm inside 

while gazing at the breathtaking beauty of snow falling and wind swirling outside.  

I am thankful for my loving family, who puts up with me,

patiently, I might add,

on those days when all is not quite well with me.

I am thankful for a most compassionate and kind heavenly Father,

who loves me, loves me, loves me because I am his,

and does not condemn me when I don't measure up,

but patiently and tenderly leads me to green pastures and still waters,

restoring my hormonal, overly emotional, pregnant soul.

I am thankful for God's provision, from a multitude of sources,

of wonderful garden produce all summer and fall long,

even though we were not able to garden this year.

  Oh how He knows how to give good gifts! 

There is just nothing like a home grown carrot, or tomato, or strawberry for that matter.

There are so many wonderful blessings in each day.

  I have been uplifted to recount some of them here.

Sharing them with you has brought a smile to my face,

and a contented sigh to end my day rightly.

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."  Phil. 4:8