Be Thankful!

So…I haven’t written in a while, so here it goes…

I have an interesting past couple of months.  Gracie turned 5, Brian got saved and baptized!  Which is totally awesome!  Our family is making a change and for the better I might add.  Gracie has had a great few weeks at school, we are just chugging along at church and work, but something kept feeling like it was lacking.  On my part that is.  I kept feeling like I was lacking in the parenting department and I couldn’t shake it.  What if I wasn’t making the right decisions when it came to Gracie, why couldn’t I get her to listen, I didn’t want to have to get in her grill all the time to make her listen because then all I felt like I was doing was yelling and punishing.  I wanted “THAT LOOK”.  You know that look I am talking about, the ones our mom had, the silent but deadly look, we got and we knew we were gonna get it if we didn’t straighten up.  I realize she is 5 and just a little girl, but I want to do everything in my power to make sure she is safe and that she grows up to be a respectful young lady.

But today I read something that kind of put everything into perspective for me, and it kind of  hits home with me:

We yell, control, walk in silence, are short, abrupt, react, discipline out of anger, and so many of us make the shift from walking in GRATITUDE to walking in GRIPEITUDE!

PARENTS!! I acknowledge that life is tough at times, but we must remember that we have so much to be grateful for!

• Be thankful for kids! Some couples are unable to have kiddos.
• Be thankful that you have the resources to feed your kids.
• Be thankful that your kids are healthy.
• Be thankful that God has given your kids special gifts, passions, and abilities.
• Be thankful that God trusts you enough to give you kids.
• Be thankful that your kids have some spiritual hunger.
• Be thankful that Romans 8:29 says “all things work together for good”.
• Be thankful that when you are not in control…that God is.
• Be thankful that God loves your kids more than you!

Here are a few verses to help you regain perspective…

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

“Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…” Ephesians 5:20

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” Psalm 107:1