Haven't yet figured out how to do the weekends. I should probably just schedule the posts ahead–but I am trying to let you in on what I'm experiencing and growing through…not some pre-established programming. :) Oh the dilemmas of blogging!
Here are my thoughts from the weekend…
I am trying to cultivate a grateful spirit in my heart this Christmas–and maybe some of it will rub off on those close to me. We visited a church this weekend (trying to pin down where God wants us in our new city…) and it was one of those services that was almost painful to sit through. The church is well loved by its congregants, it just apparently isn't for us. And, if you've ever been "church-shopping" (oh, how I hate that term!), you know the temptation to pick apart every aspect of your experience…weighing the pro's and con's of the morning.
Saturday during our first significant snowfall of the season…
Well, Husband and I were on the same page fairly early on that we wouldn't land permanently in this church-home…so I decided to make it an exercise of grace and thankfulness rather than criticism. Since I knew Husband felt the same way, I didn't need to catalog my thoughts of the church's "merits". I could just simply be thankful. These are the things I came up with…
- Thank You that these people have a place to grow closer to You and closer to others.
- Thank You for a warm sanctuary on a cold and snowy morning.
- Thank You for a seemingly vibrant children's ministry where my boys were like sheep being led in Scriptural truth rather than like sheep being herded and simply managed.
- Thank You for communion–deeply reconnecting and realigning my heart with Yours.
- Thank You for the profound and simple joys of Christmas Carols.
I was amazed at how my attitude turned around when I looked at the things that I was thankful for rather than just criticizing. How do you think this would affect all of the situations in our life that are seemingly "sub-par"? Your marriage? Your finances? Your home? Your job? Your parents? Your children?
this morning with the beautiful glow of sunrise…
If, this Christmas season, you wish to see your gratefulness increase and your spirit be buoyed…try that simple exercise. Is keeping track of "merits" really the best thing?