Tag: gratitude

Trust God. Give Thanks. Repeat.

“Lather. Rinse. Repeat.”

This idiom partially captures how my life has felt for the past several weeks. I oversleep in the morning, try to accomplish a few tasks during the day, go to bed early, and start over the next day.

Now granted, I do engage in other activities during the day. I help my Hubby to get off to work. I take care of the pets. I take a shower (even this can be difficult, for lack of energy). I prepare and eat meals. I do laundry…to name some of the activities. But each day feels very much like the day before.

I know that I have much to be grateful for, and that I need to focus on these things. God loves me. I have a husband and family that loves me. I have friends who are supportive. God provides for our needs (even if things are extremely tight). We have pets who keep us company. We have a roof over our heads. And so much more. I pray that the Lord will help me to keep all of this in mind when I start to get discouraged.

Another piece of the story is that I struggle with feeling alone. My Hubby works long hours trying to provide for us, and I don’t get to see him as often as I’d like. I do talk to my Mom on the phone quite a bit, which is helpful. I have other family and friends who I could reach out to, but I often feel like I would be bothering them if I called/visited.

While I was cooking dinner tonight and feeling rather lonely, a verse came to my mind. It’s Isaiah 41:10 – “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” It was just what I needed to hear. God is with me – all the time. He will give me the strength and encouragement that I need. On top of that, I know that my family and friends are there to support me, even when I feel otherwise.

Instead of the “lather, rinse, repeat” idiom that I began this post with, I want to establish a new idiom for myself:

Trust God. Give thanks. Repeat.

This will most certainly be a better way to occupy my time when I’m feeling lonely or like life is too repetitive. And it will help me to focus on the truth: God is with me, and He will enable me to accomplish the tasks that He calls me to do. ❤

 

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

25 Things That Make Me Smile

Almost a month has passed since I last posted. It’s not that I haven’t wanted to – it’s either that I didn’t have an idea for what to write about or I didn’t have the energy to put “fingertips to keyboard.” The depression and anxiety have been relentless, but God has gotten me through day by day. In an effort to focus on something more positive, I’d like to share with you – in no particular order – 25 Things That Make Me Smile. 😀

  1. My Hubby. He’s a wonderful friend and a good “Daddy” to our pets.
  2. Dunkin Donuts Cold Brew coffee. With cream and *regular* sugar (not the liquid stuff).
  3. Sleeping in! I love being able to wake up slowly and get my bearings before beginning the day.
  4. Sliding into bed at night with the cool sheets enveloping me. I love letting out that sigh and snuggling deeper into the covers.
  5. Sunrises. They are so quiet, and still, and beautiful…and they help you look forward to the rest of the day.
  6. Daisy. Our little pup. She is energetic and vocal, and she brings joy to our lives.
  7. Misty. Our food-loving cat. She enjoys snuggling up in her “cat condo,” sleeping, and – of course – food!
  8. Soup. Specifically a creamy, comforting soup, and accompanied by a crusty bread.
  9. A good hair day. It makes you feel like you can conquer the world!
  10. The appropriate usage of a descriptive adjective in a sentence.
  11. A hot cup of tea between shivering hands.
  12. Warm, fuzzy socks on ice cold feet.
  13. My God. He is always there for me…and I wouldn’t be able to “do life” without Him.
  14. Our little succulent plant that sits in our window and brings cheer to our home.
  15. My family. I have been blessed with a supportive family on both sides, and I am so glad to have each one of them in my life.
  16. Baby giggles. Enough said.
  17. Long, hot showers.
  18. My friends. God has also given me awesome friends – friends who are gracious, understanding, and there when I need them.
  19. An engaging book. I love getting lost inside its pages!
  20. The Bible. I’m thankful for its truth and it’s relevancy to our lives.
  21. Trips to Target to grab a Starbucks and visit with my Hubby on his work break.
  22. Re-watching NCIS for the umpteenth time.
  23. When I don’t have to cook or clean up after a meal.
  24. Getting a card in the mail that really encourages me.
  25. The Lord’s provision. Somehow He has gotten us through this far, and I’m very grateful for His generosity.

Thanks so much for reading! I hope to continue this list at a later time. Now what I want to know is, what is something that makes you smile?

 

Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash

Choosing Praise

I’ve been struggling with a number of things over the past several weeks. But I have consistently been reminded through Scripture or through loved ones that I need to trust God in the midst of what’s going on – and also that I need to be grateful and continue to praise God. The below poem is my heart’s cry in response to this. I pray that it will be worked out into my life each day as I seek to give my Father the praise that He is due, despite my circumstances.

I will praise you in the morning

When the sun does rise;

Praise You in the evening

Through the darkening skies.

 

I will praise you when I’m joyful

And when I’m feeling low;

Praise you simply because

You tell me to do so.

 

My God, I will praise You

When each need of mine is met;

And Father I will praise You

When the bills tempt me to fret.

 

I will pour our Your praises

When my family’s healthy and strong;

And still I’ll choose to praise You

When sickness lasts too long.

 

Jesus I will praise You

For all You are and all You’ve done,

And I will continue to praise You

Until into Your arms I run. ❤

 

Photo by Michał Gałężewski on Unsplash