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but can i just be really, really real with you today? sometimes, gratitude is hard.
i wrote this post back in may and last night, while i began drafting what you're reading right now, i went and dug it up. it's one of those pieces of writing that i'm particularly proud of, because it was all god, you know?
yesterday was a sort of rough day in some ways...my dad woke up not feeling great, and that's always a bummer. and on days like that, it can be hard to find things to be grateful for in the muck of the worry and pleading with god to just make him ok. (told you i was getting real)
but as i thought about what i wanted to write about today, i was reminded of a little quote, and what i wrote back in may about living the grateful life. so instead of trying to eloquently restate something i've already written when frankly, i just don't think i know how to say it better than i already have, i'm going to quote myself, quoting ann voskamp. hope you don't mind.
living with a constant sense of gratitude is one of the hardest things i can think of. in a world that loves to complain, loves to belittle, loves to make things less than what they are, it can be difficult to find joy in the little things; in a parking space, your favorite coffee creamer being on sale, a passing rain shower.
and that's the problem, i think. our world so often drowns out the gratitude. ann voskamp once wrote that "our fall was, has always been, and always will be, that we aren't satisfied in god and what he gives. we hunger for something more, something other."
that so adequately describes our human nature, doesn't it? from the beginning, when adam & eve took the fruit, they did so because they were led to believe that there was something more. and we all must live with the weight of that decision, always managing the tension between what the world wants us to believe and what our god has for us.
but the thing, friends, is that the simple act of gratitude, of finding joy in the simplistic, in the everyday, in the seemingly ordinary, can do wonders in the way of managing that tension. and it's not just being happy or thankful for what you find, but knowing who to thank.
so i hope, on this monday, that you not only take time to be thankful for the little things, but that you also thank the one who provides, who conquers, who sustains.
what are you thankful for today?
I'm thankful that He continually pursues my heart and makes me want to be better, stronger, wiser, more encouraging, more loving. I'm thankful that the Lord sees me and, despite the state I'm in, loves me and hasn't given up on me yet.
ReplyDeletethis is amazing! Thanks for posting this.
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful for my crazy kids that are driving me up the wall :)
ReplyDeletethanks megan! i appreciate you reading it!
ReplyDeletemmmm...SUCH good things to be thankful for! i'm always amazed at how persistently God pursues us...I wish so badly that I was as good at pursuing Him!
ReplyDeleteWow, girlfriend. These are some powerful words. Your post literally just gave me chills. I have to admit that I've been really negative the past few days and for no reason at all. Thank you for this beautiful reminder to allow little pleasures to keep you going and to look on the bright side.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful - and so true. We must remember who to thank for all of these things in our days & lives. Constant thanks to God is very hard to do, but so important. Thanks Betsy!
ReplyDeletethanks girl...you're so right, it can be difficult! you really need to train yourself to see the things that you can be thankful for every day.
ReplyDeleteI really need to write a thankful post!
ReplyDeletethanks Logan...i totally have those days...i actually had one last week! i was just being grumpy for the sake of being grumpy...a few little things happened that i didn't like and it wasn't anyones fault, and i even said to my boyfriend "i can't be annoyed with you, but i'm just annoyed in general" and was a grump as we ate dinner together....ugh, looking back, i hate that i didn't just adjust my attitude! but it's a process and we're all human...training yourself to live gratefully is so powerful.
ReplyDeletethey're one of my favorite posts to write!
ReplyDeletenice! looking on the bright side :)
ReplyDeleteI needed this today more than you could know, Bets. Thank you for being you.
ReplyDeletethanks for stopping by, and for hosting the best link-up i've ever been a part of. <3
ReplyDeleteI love this - thank you for sharing some inspiration this Monday! <3
ReplyDeleteXO! (Means so much!!)
ReplyDeletei agree. sometimes gratitude is hard.. but that's when we might need it the most. i started practicing more gratitude after reading ann voskamps book.
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more. Gratitude is not easy to come by, especially when things aren't that great. But it's so worth it to find those things to be grateful for.
ReplyDeleteToday I am greatful for your advice and for The Peony Project! Thank you for being so inspiring!
ReplyDeleteI’ve nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger award!
http://suzieloublog.com/2020/07/01/im-inspirational-who-knew-the-very-inspiring-blogger-award/
-Laura
The Suzie Lou Blog
Perfect timing on this! Gratitude has been hard for me lately and it's been so so easy to look at everyone else living their life and become jealous that they don't (seem to) have health issues! Thank you for the reiminder
ReplyDeleteWhat a good reminder. Life gets yucky when I don't live in gratitude of who God is. I mean, it's hard to have a bad day when my focus is on the Everlasting God, with Whom I will fellowship with for all eternity.
ReplyDeleteIt's when I get my eyes off of this truth that I start to find the worst in every situation. I look with longing at all the things I don't have. All the things God seems to bless others with, but not me.
Where does this leave me? I can only keep redirecting my gaze to God. Everyday it's a choice I'm faced with and the cry of my heart is to choose Him over me. Thank God for His grace and that He is teaching me this day by day!
It is a challenge everyday to find joy in the simple things. I know for big I long for big things to happen, prayers to be answered in big ways everyday. Prayers are answered each time I pray, just not always the grand fan fare, and joyous things occur each day sometimes it a little thing. Being grateful for little things helps rough days sting a little less.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I hope your dad is feeling better. I have a hard time some days being grateful too - when the kids are crying and whining and nothing seems to go right. I am thankful for this reminder. xx
ReplyDeleteNeeded to be reminded of this today. Thanks for posting :) <3
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, gave me a new perspective on everything going on in my life right now.
ReplyDeleteHope your dad is doing better now, beautiful post x
ReplyDeleteI'm glad he's feeling a little better! It's always the little things isn't it???
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, this is so incredibly true. I hope you father is feeling better soon! I think it's important to be thankful, but to acknowledge that not everything is hunky dory when it isn't!
ReplyDeletexo, Hima
Hima Hearts
I totally agree!! I think it's easy to complain and take things for granted. But if we can always find things to be thankful for (and there are SO many), we will all help to spread the joy a little more!
ReplyDeleteSo happy you shared again! I find myself feeling this way, and have said that living with a constant sense of gratitude is exhausting, but oh my fulfilling. XO
ReplyDeleteI have that mug. Grateful heart monday is ingenious.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree, it can definitely be hard to be grateful at times when that's the last thing you're thinking about. I hope your dad feels better :)
ReplyDeletethat's so true....he is, thanks! a day of rest did him good :)
ReplyDeleteme too! anthro mugs are my fave. i LOVE grateful heart monday!
ReplyDeletethanks kristine! you're so right...its one of the most fulfilling ways to live!
ReplyDeleteso true mandy! there are things to be thankful for all around us!
ReplyDeletethanks hima....you're right, it's ok to acknowledge when things aren't quite as awesome as you wish they would be.
ReplyDeleteit is! the little things have the power to change your perspective!
ReplyDeletethanks mia. a day of resting helped him.
ReplyDeleteglad to hear that, annette!
ReplyDeletethanks for reading amy!
ReplyDeletethanks rebekah...being thankful on the hard days can be tough...but even more important!
ReplyDeleteamen felecia! so true...prayers aren't always answered in the way that we hope or long for, but god always has a plan and a purpose.
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautifully written Rebecca! I've never been more thankful for heaven and for the promise of life with Him forever than I have lately....I can't imagine living without that hope...and reminding myself to look toward God is a task that I do everyday!
ReplyDeleteLaura, so well-put! Gratitude is a great way to combat jealousy!
ReplyDeleteAwe thanks Laura!
ReplyDeleteSO true! Gratitude is a choice!
ReplyDeleteso so true....her book has make me so much more intentional about practicing gratitude!
ReplyDeletethanks so much, and thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeletethanks girl!
ReplyDeleteSuch a good simple reminder that I needed today :)
ReplyDeleteI have that mug too!!
ReplyDeleteIt can be hard to be grateful, but at those times, it's probably the most important to count our blessings.
ReplyDeleteI love your thoughts, thanks for the reminder to be grateful!
ReplyDeleteI love this post! Such a great reminder on a day I'm feeling particularly bratty.
ReplyDeleteThanks for keeping me grateful, I woke up so stressed about work and school and then I realized how grateful I am to be able to work two jobs and go to school full time with a boyfriend who will drive me to and from no ifs ands or buts.
ReplyDeleteSuch a well written post. You're right, sometimes gratitude can be hard. I agree with what Alicia said, when it is the hardest, it's usually an important time to step back and count our blessings. I'm grateful to you for sharing this post.
ReplyDeleteStarrJoy16.blogspot.com
I couldn't agree more!
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful for fantastic friends!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I understand, gratitude can be hard to find. Good on you for working on it!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Thanks for the encouragement. I find that it is so important to remember to be thankful each day. When I start off my day by thanking God for my job, my friends and family, and whatever else comes to mind, I am much more positive and happy throughout the day.
ReplyDeleteThanks Caitlin....I so appreciate your words! And you're right, living a life of gratitude is SO worth it, n matter how tough it can be!
ReplyDeletethanks for stopping by jenna! i totally agree...my attitude is so changed when i remember to get thankful!
ReplyDeletethanks annabel!
ReplyDeletethat is a good thing to be thankful for!
ReplyDeletethanks ashley! :)
ReplyDeletethanks starr...you're so right....there's always at least one blessing to be counted!
ReplyDeleteawe, well thanks for stopping by and reading leanna! :)
ReplyDeletethanks so much jessica! i'm having a bratty day today, and need to remind myself to adjust my attitude.
ReplyDeletethanks amberly! :)
ReplyDeleteyou're so right, alicia!
ReplyDeleteyay! it's one of my favorites :)
ReplyDeletethanks for reading, julianna!
ReplyDeletep.s. totally LOVING your morning pep talks! they're wonderful :)
ReplyDeleteAfter dealing with depression for ten years the only way to deal with it was to be grateful for little things to the point where I think I programed myself to be by default grateful for things, and sometimes it is hard to take a step back and realize that sometimes, things could be worse, but they still suck. But being grateful is such a better look at life than the other way around.
ReplyDeleteThank you for being real Betsy :) I love you and I'm praying for you and the family! I am so inspired by your dedication to always learn how to be grateful, even when its tough. You're awesome!
ReplyDelete