When I woke up one day feeling discouraged, weary, heavy laden (having oh, so many of these mornings), I decided the only way I was going to make it in this life and His purpose for me is to write out in the morning 3 things I’m grateful for…. and at night write 3 more things I had been grateful for in the day.
And that was a day that transformed my life.
The backstory to that morning – I have an elderly dog that has had been affected by what we believe was a black widow bite many years ago. We almost lost her. Thankfully she survived, but she struggles with gastrointestinal issues, bladder control issues (don’t we all), and some cognitive issues. I have prayed for healing, sought healing modes through veterinarians, and even through holistic modalities. Healing has not come, and the daily trials and challenges and chores can be so daunting with a feeling of no end in sight. I know my trials are trivial compared to others at this season of my life. But I struggled to understand, nor certainly be thankful and not bitter in the midst of all of this.
That was when I decided on that morning when I woke up and when I laid down – I needed write three things I was grateful for.
Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
I thanked the Lord for my hot water instead of my tiny camp shower. I thanked the Lord for the beauty of my flowers outside instead of being able to hear traffic noise all day and night from the local highway. And I thanked the Lord for my dog in whatever way the Lord has used and will continue to use her to bring all things together for good.
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works together for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
It helped me to process and think about “in the moment” ways He may be using my dog for good. ‘Forced’ walks to keep me healthy; seeing spectacular sunsets that I would not have otherwise seen in my after-work walks with her (even just seeing one makes it all worth it); connecting with so many beautiful neighbors I would not have otherwise connected with and been blessed by; the presence of feeling safe with a dog. And one of the greatest blessings – keeping me humble, teaching me patience, perseverance, as well as devotion to one that takes a great deal of care. It has kept me grounded in a servant’s heart. Sometimes God’s glory is in the hidden servant tasks – whether caring for the elderly parent or the sick spouse, the ill or disabled child – sometimes being a servant of Christ is not how the world sees us – but how He sees us – the least of these will be exalted – the selfless acts of being the hands of feet of Christ in being a caretaker of a parent/husband/wife or child that has cancer or terminal illness, or being a single parent caring the their children, or so many other ways in our unseen acts.
Matthew 25:40 ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
We don’t know the depth or reason for suffering, but we do know one thing. He will use it all for good. For those suffering in their current trials and tribulations, to the women that were saved and protected in the tents of Corrie Ten Boom due to the fleas. As Corrie Ten Boom’s sister Betsy had prayed so many nights “Thank you, Lord for the fleas.” She did not know the reason for their horrific suffering. She didn’t know how God was working on the other side of the veil. But she knew He was working. And she thanked Him despite her circumstances. God used the fleas to protect and save the women in the tents.
If you feel called, I encourage you to begin a gratefulness journal, and just simply write three things you are grateful for when you wake. And three things you were grateful for before you sleep. I believe it will transform your life.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances.