Becoming a grateful person doesn't just happen. It has been said that we all are either glass half full kind of people or glass half empty kind of people. This is talking about perspective and how we approach life. Many things, including our natural bent, our environment, how we were raised and our faith beliefs amongst a few, can influence the way in which we view the world and the attitude we have towards the life and the days we are given. Some of us because of these influences find it easier than others to find blessings on a daily basis. But all of us can train ourselves to find the good things in our everyday that God has blessed us with, those things that show us He cares for us. But when we take it that step forward to not only notice those things that make us feel good about the life we are given but to develop an attitude of thankfulness and gratefulness that is when we start to see our perspectives change. When we are thankful we realize that something is a gift and we express thanks for it. But that can be momentary and fleeting. I believe that when we can get to a state of consistent gratefulness that is when our lives can start to change. Thankfulness and gratefulness are intertwined. In my mind, being thankful is more of an immediate reaction to something received or experienced in that moment but being grateful goes deeper and involves more of a overall knowing. Moving in the grateful is when we can see the good in the midst of the difficult, to realize that even the littlest things in our lives such as the color of a flower that we can see or that gift of a kitchen cleaned by your spouse or the very breath you have still been given to breath is giving purpose and meaning to your life. It goes deep and it's what gets you through those times when you cannot experience a tangible gift. Being grateful steers you to notice the things you would otherwise take for granted. It calls you to action. Gratefulness is the thing that will cause us to start to see that half full glass as opposed to the half empty. And it brings us full circle to be thankful. To put voice and action to our gratefulness to God who has reached down and touched our lives. And it is grateful and thankful lives that we are working towards every Friday at FFF. So please join us as we intentionally pause our busy lives to take note of the blessings and share 5 of them.
~ Mom home from the hospital ~ after a 6 day stay in the hospital it is a blessing to have Mom back in her home at the supportive living facility. The smile on her face when she got to sink down into her recliner did my heart good to see. Even though I am so thankful for the care she received at the hospital it is a hospital and there is no place like home and being around one's own familiar things and sleeping in one's own bed.
~ coming home at night to a clean kitchen ~ With Mom in hospital and then me not feeling well on the weekend and then having to be out a couple of nights this week, it was such a blessing to come home to washed dishes and clean counters. I'm so thankful for my hubby, that even though he has had a very busy work week with long days he did those chores so I wouldn't have to come home and still have that work to do.
~ my instant pot and slow cooker ~ they have been lifesavers for me on a very busy week! I love these two appliances!
~ lemon mint leaf candle ~ I love this scented candle. I bought it on a whim at Bath and Body when it was on sale a while back and only bought a one wick size in case I didn' like it but it has become one I light a lot. It is such a subtle, fresh smell that makes breathing light with no heavy candle scent to it. I find it very relaxing and relaxing is what I needed this week.
~ turkey noodle soup ~ when I don't feel well my go to meal is always a nice chicken or turkey noodle soup. It goes way back to when I was a kid. Soup has always been my comfort food with my mom making the best ever soups and even the Lipton soups when we were sick. So Saturday I pulled out the fixings and made a big pot of it. We've been enjoying it all week.
What are you thankful for this week? What has been a blessing to you?
7 comments:
I so appreciate and agree with your first paragraph. So glad your mom is home and out of the hospital. A clean kitchen is a true gift. I love soup, too, especially when the weather turns cooler.
I love your thoughts on gratitude vs thankfulness. I just finished a devo about this and gratitude actually leads us to actions!! Something about it becomes easier to live our lives authentically and to live out the two greatest commands when we live a life of gratitude. Even my kids now ask me Mom what's making your FFF this week?? 🤣 They know this meme and living gratitude is dear to my heart.
So glad your mom is back at her home!! Praise God!
I love my slow cooker too! In fact I'm using it tomorrow as I'll be climbing a high peak in the Catskills all day(God help me!) and this way i don't have to worry about dave who will be home getting junk fast food 🤣
I love anything with lemon!!! That candle sounds wonderful!
Happy weekend!
hi Susanne. I hope you are feeling better. Yes, a nice big pot of soup is wonderful when you don't feel the best. So glad your husband helped you in the kitchen - so nice not to come home to a mess. Also glad that your mom is out of the hospital and doing better. The candle sounds lovely. I love my slow cooker, but now I am considering getting an insta-pot. I am hearing so many positive things about them and how much time they save. I hope you have a good weekend. See you again soon.
Nothing like soup when we aren't feeling well. Hope you are all better! Glad to read that your dear mom is back in her comfortable surroundings. Woohoo for coming home to a clean kitchen. So grateful to our God for his loving kindness! Hope you have a relaxing weekend.
Now, you've made me hungry for soup! I'm going to have to make some.
I loved your comments at the beginning. At Bible Study this week, we talked about cultivating contentment and trusting that God is in control--that moves us to gratitude and thankfulness.
I'm glad your mom is back 'home' and snuggled up in her own recliner.
Help around the house is such a blessing. My hubby vacuumed this morning while I was gone :)
Enjoy your weekend. I hope you can get out for a hike or bike ride.
Your thoughts on gratitude are so well said. I've even read that scientists believe that practicing positive thinking can physically change the way your brain works. (I imagine if they looked deeper, it might be a physical change of the heart?;) hmmm.
That candle sounds wonderful. I'll have to look for it. I have a coupon for B&B.
I'm glad your mom is back home again. It must be a relief for all of you. Your husband sounds like such a gem, the way he takes care of you. Something else we have in common, mine's a keeper, too:)
I felt the same when my dad was in hospital -- grateful for the help and equipment and expertise, but even more grateful when he could come home. Glad your dear mom is home and sounds like she's resting well.
Love it that your other faves are home-based, too, thanks to a loving husband and relaxing scents and easy meals.
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