I'm learning to prioritize in a new way lately. Now that Harmony is here, there is little time for all of the creative projects I love. If I didn't make time for SOME creative output, though, I'd go crazy! Right now, there are three baskets of laundry waiting to be put away, the dishes from last night's dinner are still in the sink, and I haven't taken a shower yet... but doing a bit of writing and thinking are what will keep me sane for today, so that's what I'm taking the time to do right now. And Harmony is still asleep. So I have a few minutes. Maybe.
Anyway, she's adorable and all that, so she makes this newly hectic schedule totally worth it : )
Blogging has seriously fallen by the wayside, as I expected it would. Writing in my journal (yes, I still write with a pen and paper too, I'm that old-fashioned) has also taken a nose-dive. But counting my blessings has not! One thing that this list-making of gratefulness has done is open my eyes to how much I have to be thankful for, all the time, even when things are hard.
Being sick for weeks and weeks is hard. Yet when I wanted to complain, my mind (or maybe conscience? or the Holy Spirit? Yeah, probably that) would bring a positive blessing to counteract the negative thought.
I still complained.
But the blessings continued to multiply.
And the Lord blessed me by making me see them.
My journal where I keep physical remembrances of gratefulness is back on the coffee table. It takes only a few seconds to record a moment. So that's what I'm doing again. Not so I can feel proud of achieving a goal... it's so I can be humbled by the goodness given to my life, even when I think that things are rough.
Can I encourage you to take a moment today and think of three things that you are grateful for?
Gratitude really changes everything.
Here are some of the highlights since I last posted here:
Hand-me-down clothes from generous friends
Seventeen days of Olympics
Renewed energy after being sick
Sleeping for four hours straight
The gift of perspective as I walk through the years
Harmony's first laugh
Preparing to delve into the book of Hebrews
The peace found in trusting the promises of God
Sweet neighbors moving in next door
The joy of Dr. Seuss newly discovered for Harmony
Skillet apple pie on Sunday; a new tradition
Knowing that I am "crowned with glory and honor" (Psalm 8:6)
Cold weather finally, a welcome break from the drought
Beautiful botanical garden free for morning walks
God gently teaching me to not live my life in fear
