Tag: relationships

Thankful Thursday (episode 7)

Okay, so you might be thinking, “Today isn’t Thursday!” And I would reply, “You’re right!” 🙂 I forgot to write this post yesterday, so I am a day late. But what really matters is that any (and every) day is a good day to be thankful.

I tried my best this past week to add to my gratitude list using the 5 Minute Journal app, and I did okay! I set reminders for myself using the app so that it would prompt me to record my thoughts. I also made sure the reminders were set for a time I would most likely be free, and this helped. With God’s help, I’m making small steps of progress.

So here is this weeks collection of things that I’m grateful for. Enjoy!

  • A wonderful family that loves me and is always there for me.
  • Supportive friends!
  • A roof to cover our heads from the rain and other weather.
  • That getting my blood work done went well.
  • That we have good health insurance.
  • Having both my Mom and my Grandmom in my life this Mother’s Day.
  • A productive handbell rehearsal.
  • Being able to hold the baby girl of close friends. It felt great! 🙂
  • A glass of cold water when I was thirsty – I often take this for granted!
  • Feeling the cool breeze on my face.
  • A delicious homemade pizza and NCIS with the Hubby.
  • Air conditioning in our home and cars to make the hot weather more manageable.
  • My Hubby’s getting good news regarding finishing his college degree!
  • God’s providing for all of my needs.

That’s all for this week! Thank you for reading. And I’d love to hear what things you are grateful for. Or what tricks you use to keep gratefulness in the forefront of your mind and heart. ❤

 

Giving Grace

“I did it again!” I cried, as my mind started to spin in all directions. I had just indulged in that bad habit I was struggling with. Instead of talking to God and receiving His forgiveness, I fell into a pit of despair.

I admit, I struggle with believing that God has given me grace. When I fall short for the umpteenth time during the day, I feel like I should be punished. I feel like something bad will happen to me. And I feel like I just don’t deserve the love that God offers. Maybe you have felt the same way.

But what about giving grace? What about sharing that grace – which we can so easily receive from the Father – with others who hurt us in some way?

I struggle with this, as well. And sometimes, it’s not even when someone does something horrible to me (which is extremely difficult). Sometimes it can just be dealing with the imperfections of everyday life.

For example…have you ever gotten upset when someone cuts you off on the road? I have. What about when they pass you in a no-pass zone, or drive 25 MPH in a 45…or 45 in a 25, for that matter? What about when they ride your bumper so close that you’re afraid to make any sudden stops or turns? Yep. Bothers me too. And this is one area where God is showing me that I need to give grace.

Is it right? Do they deserve the grace? No. But the thing is, grace isn’t about getting what we deserve. If we got what we deserve…we’d all be separated from God. But He gives us grace! And we need to be willing to share that grace with those around us.

Another area where I struggle to give grace is when I’m on the phone. You know what calls I’m talking about, don’t you? The calls that you have to make about a bill that is incorrect, or to your insurance company, or something of that nature. You make the call, wait on hold for way too long, and then are connected to a representative who is not able to assist you with your problem? Yeah…I struggle with those calls.

But the representatives I’m talking about are people, too. They make mistakes like all of us do. So what would it take to show a little grace? It would probably help them a lot…and it might even help us to feel better about the frustrating situation.

So the next time you are struggling with impatience…the next time you are annoyed or offended by someone…and the next time time things don’t work out quite the way you want – remember, God has given us grace. And we need to be willing to give that grace to others! ❤

 

 

Peace Begins with a Smile

I’d like to start off by asking, “What makes YOU smile?” Is it nice weather, or a day off from work, or maybe something as simple as your favorite song playing on the radio? Well, that’s the question that I also want to ask of myself today!

What makes me smile?

So here goes…here are thirty things that make me smile.

  1. A well-crafted iced latte
  2. An intriguing book
  3. Capturing a good photograph
  4. Traveling to someplace new
  5. Looking into my Hubby’s baby blue eyes
  6. When my Mom and I call each other on the phone at exactly the same time
  7. When we have our good friends over for dinner on Monday nights
  8. Getting something for cheap, or free!
  9. A good conversation
  10. Get-togethers with my in-laws (there’s always great food and good laughs)
  11. A tasty meal – especially if I didn’t have to cook it 😉
  12. When our pets do something cute
  13. When someone comments on one of my blog posts
  14. Being able to help someone
  15. When my Hubby does a chore without my asking
  16. Knowing I have a God who loves me unconditionally
  17. Writing!
  18. Having a “good hair day”
  19. A soothing cup of tea (add a delicious scone, and it’s even better)
  20. Sliding under the toasty warm covers at bedtime
  21. Meeting someone who struggles with similar issues as I do (it helps me feel like I’m not alone)
  22. When my Hubby and I go over my brother’s apartment for “Movie time”
  23. Finding a good parking spot
  24. Listening to rain pounding on the roof as I fall asleep…thunder is good, too
  25. Going down to my parents’ house for the day
  26. Catching up with a close friend
  27. The smell in our house when I’ve had a crock-pot meal cooking all day
  28. A good hug
  29. The revitalized way I feel after I take a walk and get fresh air
  30. Knowing that I have a purpose and that I have a wonderful adventure ahead of me.

Well, I hope you’ve enjoyed my list! And let me ask you again…what makes YOU smile? Do any of the things that I’ve mentioned make you smile, also?

peace-begins-with-a-smile-quote-2

*I got the idea for this writing prompt from   at Psych Central.

*Featured Photo Credit: Eli Defaria