Friday, September 13, 2013

Learning to rest in gratitude

A while back, I began hearing many reviews of and recommendations that we read the book One Thousand Gifts . It kind of stuck in my head until I bought it and recently began reading it. I haven't quite finished reading the book yet, however there are several areas that have struck a chord in me. I thought this particular topic was worthy of talking about here.

One of the ideas the author really focuses on is our inability to experience full joy if we do not show gratitude. I have been pondering that concept since I read it a few weeks ago and began observing my own attitude and mood in relationship to my feelings of gratitude or of ungratefulness. I also began considering the difference between real appreciation vs expressing gratefulness because that's what we're supposed to do. What I noticed is that when I focused on looking for things to be thankful for, I found myself seeking the good in many situations and my mood was improved. I am certain most of us have heard the phrase..."fake it til you feel it." While I believe that has its place, I wonder if it would be more helpful to focus our minds on things to be grateful for instead of attempting to force a "good mood."


Traffic is backed up or stopped, causing me to be late for my appointment, work, or wherever I am headed. 

I could become angry, frustrated, or anxious. My blood pressure could raise horribly. Road rage could be a possibility. OR could I find something to be grateful for while I am sitting there waiting to move the next 2 feet? Maybe I could actually listen to the words to the song on the radio. I may find myself drawn into worship. I could "car watch," checking out the different makes and colors of cars surrounding me. What about the color of the sky, the colors of the leaves, the mountains in the horizon? I could be grateful that I have a car with gas to get me where I need to go. If I am on a bus, I could people watch. I could be grateful that I am not the one driving in this traffic mess. There are so many things I could notice if I just shifted my attitude and looked.


The only phone calls I get from my children are when they need something.


That could certainly frustrate the strongest of parents. I could become bitter that I gave so much of my life raising these people and I find I have to keep giving and keep giving. Are they ever grateful? OR I could be grateful that my children know where they can turn when they need help. I could be touched that they see me as someone who they can depend on. That I have the children in the first place. That I have children who actually want to talk to me. (For the record, my children are amazing and I absolutely adore whatever time I get to have with them. I miss having them both together in my home. There is nothing better than snuggling with my kiddos, hearing the sibling banter, cooking for my family. sigh...)


Today has been incredibly stressful at work.



When we spend most of our awake time at work, hard days can definitely make keeping a positive attitude a challenge. Why does my boss just pick on me? Why are the clients so ungrateful? Why does this day seem to drag on? The computer system just crashed again. Now I can't get my work done. OR I can be grateful that I have a job. I can be grateful that I have a computer that usually works. I have a desk and a comfy chair. Since the computer is down, I have a chance to eat lunch away from my desk. I get to work with clients who are having a tough day and maybe help their day improve. I can maybe share my positive attitude with the others.




I discovered when I stay in the negative and hold onto the stressful feelings, I feel icky. I begin to feel down or grumpy. When I search for things to be grateful for, my insides feel lighter. I would even say that, by making gratitude a goal, I begin to feel joyful. 

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kids, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." ~ James 1:2-4



Is this maybe part of what James is talking about? If I keep the negative, grumpy attitude then it makes it difficult to persevere. When I show gratitude, my heart feels joyful and often peaceful. That sure helps the perseverance. Maybe I should try to be more grateful for the little things as well as the big things. Do you notice a difference when you focus on even the little things? For someone who has been called this year to learn how to rest, maybe this is one of the ways I can learn that. If being grateful produces joy and peace, the feeling of unrest dissipates, leaving a calm rest and a closeness to my Father. Wow. Such a big deal. Why have I not discovered this until now?

Thank you Lord for teaching me this lesson. Please help me focus more on how to seek gratitude. Please use that gratefulness to remove the negative and judgmental nature from my spirit. Please use this lesson to draw me closer to you. Amen.