An Attitude of Gratitude

     How often do we have an attitude of gratitude?  Are you satisfied with what you have or do you require more?  Why do we feel the need to have more "stuff"?  This is something that I have been pondering for a while.  In my life as well as my families life.  I think that we are a society driven by consumerism that feels that if we don't have the newest and best new "toys" that we can't live.  The commercial hype drives us to want it more and more. Sometimes it is like a disease, the want keeps spreading to our brain and making us crazy thinking about it.  We need to detox from all of the hype and get back to a simpler life.  I think in the end that we will be happier. 
     I have been reading a book called "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp.  It is an interesting book so far.  It is a dare to live fully right where you are in life right now. She talks about Eucharisteo, thanksgiving. Chara, the greek word for Joy.  Joyful thanksgiving.   It has gotten me thinking.  Do we always thank Jesus for what we have?  Do we thank him for the bad as well as the good?  Jesus gave thanks in every situation he was placed in. Ultimately he gave his life for us to have a joyful thanksgiving. God wants us to be happy.  He wants us to be thankful too.  I like in Philippians 4:11-12 where Paul talks about being content for what he has.  How he has learned to be content whether his cup is full or empty.  Wow, is he talking to me or what?
       When you see a task at hand do you sigh and get mad because you have to do it or do you thank God that you are able to move and be able to do the task?  I am guilty as everyone else is.  I am trying to change this. Once again, not always an easy task when I come across the banana peel left on the counter and the knife with Nutella all over the handle. Instead of blowing up and yelling at the offender child I try and take a deep breath, throw the peel away, clean the knife and move on.  When I see the pile of dirty dishes scattered in the kitchen I am reminded of a poem that hung in my mother's kitchen.

Thank God for dirty dishes;
They have a tale to tell.
While others may go hungry,
We're eating very well
With home, health, and happiness,
I shouldn't want to fuss;
By the stack of evidence,
God's been very good to us.


     I try and teach my boys to be thankful for what they have and not to always be coming to me with their hand out for something more.  Sometimes this is harder for all of us than not.  Do we really need to have that name brand shirt that is three times the price of the store brand?  Not really, but we WANT the name brand because we are worried about what people will say if they find out we are wearing the not name brand shirt. This is society and commercialism talking.  I would rather be able to buy three off brand shirts and something else I need or want rather than the high dollar name brand.  I don't get so upset then when I get something on that shirt either! When the boys want a name brand item I try to gently remind them of this too.  I make my boys do chores around the house as well as cook every so often.  They are not going to think that they need to be waited on hand and foot for everything. Just because I don't work outside of the house on a full time basis doesn't mean that they are free of chores.  They both know how and do their own laundry. They can both successfully and quite tastefully cook a meal.   One day they will appreciate this skill that I have taught them! 
     Every day I try and remember to thank God for even the little things, not just the "big ticket items", but the "add on items" that makes life more enjoyable.  The color of the clouds as the sun kisses them with it's first or last rays, the silly antics of the birds in my back yard as they look for food. The smell of my coffee as it brews. The cool breeze that comes through the window cooling my house. The aching muscles after walking.   The nudge of a wet dog nose on my leg. These things are the things that we need to remember to be thanking God for too.  The "big ticket items" are easy to be thankful for, but can you imagine starting your day and looking out and the world was just black and white? We wouldn't like that too much!  Be thankful for the little things that God has done for you to make your life more enjoyable.  If he does this for us here on Earth, can you imagine what Heaven will be like?  Wow! It blows my mind to think of what is in store for us there.  I  don't want to miss that show.  Thank you God.  Thank you God for the "add on items" that you think of to "upgrade" my life daily.  Please help me Lord to always have an attitude of gratitude.  Teach me daily to live fully in the moment where I am now.

The Wonders of God's Creation

When was the last time that you took time to stop, sit still and listen to the world around you?  It had been awhile for me.  I couldn't be anywhere without having music on, a TV on or some kind of noise.  I think that we become so busy in this life that we have truly forgotten how to just sit and be content with what God has given us. 

My pre-island life was so hurried that I would wake up at 5:30, just so I could get the dogs walked before getting ready for work and rushing out the door by 7:30 each day.  I would have to have the TV on to listen to the news as I got ready upstairs.  Then I would head downstairs and as I would eat (if I got a chance to eat) I would have my iPad out to read the news, or catch up on email.  Usually the oldest son would be on the couch eating while watching TV.  At work, I always had music going at my desk.  I couldn't function unless there was music.  It helps to soothe the soul.  In the car, music was always on.  Sometimes it would be turned up louder if boys were arguing or someone wouldn't stop talking. There was always some type of exterior noise until I collapsed into bed at 11:30 or later.

Now, I am content to wake up and get ready with no music or TV. There is no TV in our bedroom as of now and I think I could handle it staying out.  I still have a hard time weaning myself off the news on the iPad, but I am getting better.  I like to work around the house while simply listening to the birds outside or the wind blowing through the palm trees.  God's music is heavenly.  I like listening to the horses nickering in contentment after they get some carrots and apple.  I like listening to the shy western Cardinals that hide in the bushes and sing the prettiest songs,  the sweet little song of the finches and even raccous chatter of the funny black birds as they argue. Even just listening to the dogs breathing as they sleep is enjoyable.  I have finally learned I don't have to always be tuned in.  Don't get me wrong, I still love music, but I don't have to have it on all the time.  Life is so peaceful that I can enjoy it without adding more to it. 

I love on Sunday's when we sit outside at the church we have been attending.  Being able to praise God with our voice and to hear him answer in the crashing waves beside us is amazing. The songs I don't always know, but they are always ones that I need to hear that day.  The words seem to talk to me, as if the song were picked for me and me alone. I like listening to the preacher speak as I ponder the lesson that more than not pointed at me.  Hearing the birds singing as he preaches just adds to the lesson.  I find myself talking to God and thanking him for the little things. I love when my family is all together and able to enjoy a meal together. The quiet moments (few as they are) together brings us closer together. I love that my boys still want to do some things with their Mom and Dad. 

 I could sit at the beach for hours just watching the waves and seeing the whales pass by.  It baffles my mind to think of just how big those whales are that I can see them from over a half mile a way or further. To see them propel themselves out of the water is a feat to behold and be amazed at.  These creatures are as long or longer than a school bus. For them to breach takes so much strength and power.  To be so lucky to see one of those amazing creatures is what I am thankful for daily.  God made some amazingly beautiful creatures for us to enjoy.  The colors of the fish just a few feet out in the ocean is amazing.  The colors are so vibrant and saturated that you just want to touch them to see if it is real.  The colors and shapes of the different fish never leaves me bored.  Then, to see a turtle, now that is pretty awesome too.  I never thought that I would be so amazed at something that is not particularly the cutest, snuggliest thing on this earth.  But, there eyes are like looking into an ancient wised old man.  They are dark and piercing, like they can see right into your soul. 

Give me a beach chair, a bottle of water, sunscreen and a secluded beach and I will be happy for hours.  I don't need anything else, I am content.  Thank you God for such a beautiful place to live.