Attitude of Gratitude

          
Lately, God has been challenging me to look inwardly at my heart. It began Wednesday night, when my friend, a single-mom of two grown children, came to our house for small group. While I scurried about trying to get things in place before the others arrived, she mentioned how sweet my Mother's Day bookmarks were the boys made that were hanging on the frig. Each bookmark shared what they loved about their mom and then inked their fingerprint on the bottom of it.  I stopped as she said it, not sure if she was being sarcastic or real. As I turned to look at her face, her response was so genuine and heart-felt.

Their responses were simple: 
-she gives me gifts
-she loves me
-she cuddles with me
-I am her son

Simple responses that I was so ungrateful for, initially (Even though I gave great gratitude to the boys the moment they gave me them!). Yes, its been a crazy busy tough season. I guess when I received them I was hoping for some monumental response like, "She sacrifices for us each day and loves Jesus much!" 

My sweet friend, from small group, was thankful for those words my kids had written on the bookmarks, now appreciating the small stuff even more since her kids are grown and gone. I am sure she would love to receive another bookmark from her kids telling what they love about her. That season in her life is over. Receiving bookmarks with love written on it, only happens for so long.

I found that my heart needed adjusting and that I needed to be grateful for those innocent and real words my kids wrote. I need to be thankful for the little things in life. Realizing this season is short and will be gone before I know it.

God places people in our life to re-direct our minds back to Truth. Now every time I look at those cards I am very grateful for another day with my kids. Remembering I am a work in progress...just like them. 

Has God placed a person or circumstance in your path that has caused you to look inwardly at your heart? 

Ask God for one thing this week that you can be working on as a Mommy. Tell a friend - so she can be praying for you in that area! 

Remember we are ALL a work in progress!

Gratitude Must Be Taught & Practiced

Be anxious for nothing but in everything 

by prayer and petition with thanksgiving 

make your requests known to God, and 

the peace of God, which surpasses all 

understanding will guard your 

hearts and minds in 

Christ Jesus. 

- Philippians 4:6

This morning I went to my monthly mom's Bible study and was challenged about cultivating a heart of gratitude. Always around Thanksgiving we all verbally state what we are thankful for and even encourage others to as well, BUT what about the rest of the year? 

The speaker shared some really great points...

-Thankfulness is a WEAPON against the things that steal our peace.

-Thanksgiving multiplies JOY.

-Gratitude must be taught and practiced. It is a discipline!

-Every moment can be sacred if you are looking closely and paying attention.

-Instead of keeping a record of wrongs (1 Cor. 13:5), why not keep a record of rights?

- Start a GRATITUDE JOURNAL & have your kids do one too!

Our speaker shared how on her phone, she has a running record (in her "notes" section) of things she is grateful for. Each day she adds more things to it & can go back and read things from previous days. 

LOVE this! My week has been really rough. I want to have an attitude of gratitude instead of asking, "Why me?" The Lord gives me so many blessings each day, but my mind can zero in on those challenging things bringing me down. I loose focus.  

What are some things you can do to cultivate this with your family?

How about having a moment of PRAISE each night @ dinner and allow each family member to praise the Lord for something?

Is gratitude being taught and caught in your home?