Gratitude - Word of the Year 2012

Okay, so I've struggled with this one.   Gratitude. 

A friend of mine says the word chooses you.  So it seems. 

Last year it was WAIT and wait I did.   I waited for that year to be over!   It was truly a year of waiting.  A year of trusting (although, I don't know how good I was at that).  A year of surrendering (most of the time not without a fight).  A tremendous year of growth and survival.  It was a year that at the end, you say something like, "I waited it out and I lived to tell about it!" 

So, as I headed into 2012, I have to say I was relieved to have a fresh start - to not have things looming over my family that were unknown and scary.  Although, I guess life is pretty unknown and scary.  It was for that reason that I really felt my word was going to be LIVE.   I was tired of living in that looming shadow of the unknown and I so was drawn several times to the word LIVE as to not be held back for what God really wanted me to do this year.  

Initially, I was drawn to a favorite verse -  John 10:10  - I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.

That verse eventually led me to THIS verse... 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ¹⁶ Rejoice always; ¹⁷ pray without ceasing; ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

It's easy to be thankful when life is going your way.  It's easy to open your sunroof and look into a Carolina blue sky and thank God for your life when pretty much all is well.   

What I found out this last year while I was doing all that waiting, was that I was also becoming a bit embittered. I didn't like waiting and my heart was starting to harden.   Ick - not a good way to find yourself. 

Sure, I was living through it!  But not joyfully.  Not to those living through it with me, anyway.  

Being thankful, having a heart of gratitude -  it's in ALL circumstances.  Not just when the sky is blue.  Not just when life is going your way.  

So, this life? This full life I'm to LIVE because of my faith in Jesus?  I can't have it without an obedient life of gratitude.

 To LIVE is to be THANKFUL.  

This Should Keep Me Organized, Right?

Fall has given me a little boost of creativity around my house.   This weekend alone could have provided fodder for at least 3 blog posts!  But alas, I do not have time to post about the caramel apples I made with my kids or the Halloween decorating we did.  Although, I did let them have a little more freedom outside this year.  My bushes are covered in that fake cobweb and big black spiders!     It's cute - Mums and pumpkins just will not do for this crowd anymore! 

I did do one very necessary project that I thought I'd share.   I have been forgetting A TON of really important things lately.   Older age, too busy, distracted by other things in life - not sure.  So, I needed something that I could record these things and see them right when I leave the house! 

 Look! A New Chalkboard!!!



Taped around the outside of where I wanted to paint.  For this, I used an old frame that I removed the glass and picture from.  I just held it on the wall and drew around the inside of the frame.   Then I painted chalkboard paint right on the wall.





Removed tape - a little paint did seep through but that's okay because I'm adding the frame. 



Hung the frame.   This allows me to remove the frame and clean the chalkboard right on the wall!

And there is a little ledge for my chalk built right in!



I also added hooks for my keys and the dog's leash. LOVE!!!



I liked the way it turned out and it was so easy!!!  I can't imagine that I will every forget anything again!

Completely

I love the last words to this song, 

"What can I say, What can I do?  But offer this heart, oh God, completely to you..."

Oh, wait.  You mean even that little dark part that is angry?   Oh, and that part that I've been holding back in fear?  Okay, hold the phone! That part that needs to forgive someone?!?!?

Completely. 

Well, that is a lot harder than just singing words to a song! 

What I Learned THIS week!

When I was blogging a lot, I use to participate in a little bloggy carnival at Musings of a Housewife called What I Learned This Week. I loved reflecting on the past week's life lessons and reading about others. Sometimes about faith, others about raising kids and some just simple silly missteps along the way.


While taking a morning walk today, I reflected on what a frustrating week I had and thought maybe I could salvage it by chalking it up to growth!    So, here's my very own version of  What I Learned this Week! 

Humility is everything. A lesson that bites me often when I am least expecting it. It's really simple. I seldom, if ever, am without fault in a disagreement or situation. Even when all signs point to me being right, if I look hard enough I can usually find a reason how the other person might have felt hurt. I find that by saying, "Did I do something to hurt you?" and a sincere apology tear down many walls and lead to pretty quick reconciliation. The feeling of restoration in a relationship is a much better feeling than being right.   I just don't always know that until after it's been restored. :)

If humility is everything, communication has got to be a close second. Reply to that email, return that phone call, tell someone something even if you thought you already did, if you don't hear a response - try them again. Lack of response can communicate that you do not seem to care.   Do your part to communicate.  

Try to know a person's heart.  Intention, while should not be used as an excuse, goes a long way. I think that if you know a person's heart, ie: what is important to them, where they are hurting and what is going on in their life then it's easier to not take how they may be acting at the moment so personally.

Wait until next week. If you are feeling like making a big decision that could significantly change your future - Stop, pray, wait and get some advice. Making life changing decisions while hyped up on emotions is never a good idea.

Why are the lessons that seem so easy always the ones that I seem to keep learning the hard way?