A few weeks ago I had a little wake up call…  In a conversation with someone close to me it was mentioned during our discussion that I wasn’t as “positive” or “cheerful” as I used to be.  Unfortunately, I did not react very positively to the comment.  The comment hurt.  It struck a raw chord, something I already knew in my heart, but didn’t realize how much it was effecting the people around me.

I know the comment wasn’t meant to be mean, but to call out some things that are going on my life that they have noticed recently.   I am truly thankful for people in my life who are honest, even if it hurts a little. This was a sincere concern about me and the things I have been struggling with these last few months.  When someone feels comfortable enough to speak the truth even if it is difficult to say you know they care deeply about you, your spiritual growth, and the struggles your hanging onto.

My first reaction was that I had a reason to be a little more frustrated recently.  It has been a tough few months.  I herniated a disc in my neck back in October and I am still in pain from it.  It has been a very slow and painful recovery so my first instinct was to excuse my behavior.  This person knows how much I have gone through these past few months so it was seen as the excuse that it was.  The purpose for the comment was to encourage me to take my focus off all the crazy stuff that has been going on and focus on the good things that God is doing in my life as well as the lives around me.

After a couple weeks of praying, wrestling with it some more, thinking about it, and admitting I have been grumpier lately I decided I needed to do something specific.  In addition to prayer, having someone I had to be accountable to, I also needed a daily activity to refresh my memory of the good in my life.  I wanted something that would redirect my focus back to the many positive blessings everyday that have been overshadowed by some other more stressful items going on in my life.  What I decided to do is to write down at least 10 things I am thankful for each day.  I titled my list “Counting My Blessings”.  I hope that this activity will encourage and help turn my focus more on the positive things in my life.   I want to appreciate and enjoy the amazing blessings I have been given.  To be content with the season I am in at the moment.

I want to be accountable to you as well.  The following are snipits of some of the things I am thankful for this past week.  Counting My Blessings – Week In Review:

Monday – Thankful for the car ride into school where I can chat with the girls about life, their days, and more!

Tuesday – Thankful that Jake reads devotions to the girls and patiently answers their many questions about God, life, the bible, and so much more.

Wednesday – Thankful for a chance to catch up with someone I have known for years, but haven’t seen in awhile.  Her twin grandkids are now 3 years old. I remember how excited she was waiting for them to be born.  It was great catching up for a few minutes.

Thursday – Thankful for a fresh snow fall so the girls could have a day off school and we could build a snowman, go sledding, hike in the woods, play games, read, play, and have fun together.

Friday – Thankful for additional time with my girls since school started two hours late due to black ice today.