I'm Grateful
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There's a question that I've often been asked. I imagine you've had it too. Someone will say "how are you?" The standard answer is "I'm fine." But many times that wasn't the case. I wasn't fine. I may have been sick in some way - or discouraged - or overwhelmed. But people don't want to hear a litany of those things. They're usually just being polite in asking the question.
Recently someone shared on the FaceBook prayer page something her pastor had taught. When someone asks "how are you?" - a good answer is "I'm grateful." I love that!!! And it's true. Even in hard times, my heart is grateful. It's the perfect answer to that question.
Some things I'm grateful for today:
Sunshine!! The last few days have been sooo cold. The sun today warms my heart and my body.
Grocery delivery! One good thing that the pandemic brought is delivery service. I can order just about anything and have it delivered.
Friends! A friend came over today to help me with something. I so appreciated it.
Strength! I had a long list of things to accomplish, and the Lord gave me strength to make it through the list.
The internet! It allows me to communicate with all of you from right here in my home. I'm old enough to remember when we had to communicate with letters. It took days to get a message to someone.
"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22
My heart is cheerful - filled with gratitude.
When I face challenging situations (I’ve had a few this week) - I face a big temptation! To worry! My mind for details thinks through everything about the projects. If I'm not careful, I can get bogged down in the pit of worry. I have to continually give things to the Lord. Even in the midst of a stressful project I had this week, I had to walk away, sit down, and give everything to the Lord. One time wasn't enough! I had to keep giving things to the Lord and ask Him to carry the burden for me.
Continually communicating with the Lord is our protection from being weighed down by the burdens we face - both large and small. The key is the constant communication! The Lord doesn't get tired of our bringing the situation to Him. He is always available, always listening, always ready to help. As I gave the burden to Him repeatedly, I could feel His help and strength to make it through.
"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?" Luke 12:25,26
"In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry to Him reached His ears." Psalm 18:6
"An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up." Proverbs 12:25
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6,7
I had a friend speaking kind words - and was surrounded by the peace of the Lord. It was a good week. :)