Being Thankful

I often think that life is hard! Sometimes harder for others. Just this morning, I needed to print something off for Val to take to school. I was unable to get out of bed, my frustration was rising which resulted in my speech begining to slurr. Poor Val, he was doing his best. As I begin to get more and more angry, Val asked "Mom why are you getting so mad?" The answer, I was frustrated because I just wanted to get out of bed myself, go to the computer and print out the form for Val myself.

I am reading a book that a good friend gave me "One Thousand Gifts." The idea of the book is to live fully right where you are. First of all I am not sure that I truly live fully in this life of schedules, boys, a husband, schooling, disability and of course my favorite Laundry!

I just finished a chapter from the book on thanksgiving and was reminded of how Christ, just before the hardest time of his life on this earth, His crucifixtion, gave thanks. I can honestly say that during the hardest times in my life, my first reaction is not to give thanks. My first reaction is often frustration, disappointment, saddness, but to be thankful? This morning I showed my lack of thanksgiving and my true color of frustration as we tackled getting this form off the computer.

After reading this chapter, I am reminded that being thankful is the only reaction that I can and should truly have. For it is God who gave me these boys, this husband, this disability and even the laundry is from Him. Who am I to say to the creator that he must have made some kind of mistake and I am not very grateful? And as a mother I need and should be attempting to demonstrate thankfulness to my boys in times of difficulty.

My I find thankfulness in what God has given me, if you see me, remind me to be thankful, and in all things may He who ordained all of this be given glory and thanks!

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" I Thessalonians 5:16-18