The alarm chirps to wake me from my slumber.  As my arm slinks out from under the covers to flip the switch, I ponder “groaning or gratitude?” Resent the disruption to my rest or rejoice for in the day ahead?  It’s all in my perspective.  What I choose will determine the mindset for my day.  The choice is mine to make.

Today is Thanksgiving.  A day to thank God for all of the wonderful things he has done in my life.  A day to proclaim “How great our God!” As I walk this journey I’m beginning to understand that being grateful for the good things in life is a lot easier than it is to thank him for the hardships and the challenges.  It’s easier to proclaim that God is good when my life is good.

God has been teaching me to see the good in the hard things; to look for the lesson.  I’m starting to see his provision when he says “no” to my prayers.  I’ve caught glimpses of his mercy in the “not yet.” This is not to say that I am living a life in complete gratitude to God and thankful for the troubles.  I’m certainly not there yet.  But I’m learning BIG lessons of gratitude each day.

Today, will I be thankful to see my breath as I walk knowing that I have a warm home in which to retreat or will I grumble in the cold?  I hope that I’ll see the beauty of the freshly fallen snow; the white wonderland it creates.

Can I be grateful for sinus pressure, a stuffy nose and tickly throat, knowing that soon enough my health will return? This minor cold has reminded me to slow down and rest.  Can I be grateful for this gift?

When I’m short with my son, will I be thankful for the reminder that I’m broken or will I heap shame upon my own head for my bad parenting? Can I accept an opportunity to ask for forgiveness that could be a teaching moment for both of us?

A pile of dishes in the sink means that I have a family to feed and enough food to fill their bellies.  Will I choose gratitude or grumbling at the work that lies ahead?

Laundry piled high means that we have more than enough clothes to wear each day. Will I consider those who do not have this luxury or will I focus on the disruption to my day?

Changing my perspective changes my heart.  Seeing the potential good instead of focusing on what disappoints me is within my control.  Small choices have big outcomes when it comes to matters of the heart.  Will I choose to see the light or will I focus on the darkness?  Can I live a life of gratitude for the good and the bad or will I only see God’s goodness when “good” things happen?

Meals to make means that I have food in my fridge.

Bills to pay means that I have heat, and electricity and entertaining TV.

Annoying political ads mean that I live in a free country.

A full calendar means that I have purpose to my day.

Missing someone means that I’ve loved greatly.

Being let down by others means that I have expectations and hope and not a hard heart filled with cynicism.  Being hurt drives me to the arms of the One who never disappoints and deepens my relationship with Him.  Can I remember this?

Our Creator loves us greatly.  He wants us to see ALL of His good gifts.  It only takes a shift in focus.  May we wake each day and choose our perspective wisely.

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