Thanks!

My devo last week had a statement that absolutely screamed off the page.  This one made me stop, read it again, and realize it was written for me – one to ponder and think through - a teachable moment.  Ever have that before?

The statement? 

Sometimes, it's not that my reality is bad. It's that I created too much space for disappointment to grow by placing my expectations too high.

Of course, it came at the “perfect” time – a bad day, a week of selfishness and inconsistency.  A time of “not quite good enoughs” and feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction.

The statement made me stop and ask myself – is my reality so bad?  Well, actually, wait a minute – first, what is my reality? 

My reality?  Wife – mother – grandmother – legal secretary – woman in her 50’s – lover of Jesus (and unfortunately many other “things” for that matter).  What about that reality is “bad” or dissatisfying for that matter?

WELLLLLLLLL – if you’re a wife, you know.  If you are a mom, you know . . . . how about if you are a woman or a man or a lover of “things” -   NOTHING satisfies.   No “thing” – no spouse – no child – no job – no age (well, maybe the early 30’s . . . . JK!). 

Can I look at my “reality” another way – a more thankful way, maybe? 

 

A spouse who loves me . . . married almost 35 years now . . . . three healthy sons . . . four beautiful grandchildren . . .  a job . . . health

. . . a spirit-filled church to attend, a home, a car, gas to go places, money in the bank, true friends who share my faith, parents living independently, siblings I love, Bible study sisters, this blog I can pour my heart into  . . . should I go on?

 

Doesn’t sound like my “reality” is that bad, does it?  So maybe I have created too much space for disappointment by placing my expectations too high?  HUH?

Oh wait, I think I know what that means – like thinking my husband should read my mind and know what I want and need without telling him . . . . or my kids should do as I tell them to . . . . or my boss should give me all the cush projects . . . . or I shouldn’t have aches and pains . . . . 

Maybe having a “reality” more thankful – an attitude of gratitude or a stop and say, “thanks!” time for the little things – like breathing or walking or hearing or loving would help.   A realization that who I am isn’t nearly as important as WHOSE I am and THERE AIN’T NOTHING HIGHER THAN THAT!  No higher expectation can be found in this world but to be a child of the King – a lover of Jesus – a receiver of grace – a citizen of heaven!!!!!!

 

Doesn’t that realization just make you want to sing?????   Thank Him????  Praise??? 

Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, in Whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.

Oh, may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in His grace, and guide us when perplexed;
And guard us through all ills in this world, till the next!

All praise and thanks to God, the Father now be given,
The Son and Him Who reigns, with Them in highest Heaven;
The one eternal God, Whom earth and Heav’n adore;
For thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.

Just to get into that “thanks!” mood, let’s look at some scripture for our hearts to “realize”:

2 Cor 2:14:  But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.

Psalm 7:17:  I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

Psalm 28:7:  The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.

Psalm 30:11-12:  You turned my wailing into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to You and not be silent.  O Lord my God, I will give You thanks forever.

FOR THUS IT WAS IS NOW, AND SHALL BE EVERMORE!   AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!