GRATITUDE
Gratitude. We are hearing this word a lot lately. In church, social media, pod casts, and celebrities. We even heard it with those who survived with the only their lives in Maui. It can be said in the daily routines of life but usually is expressed after experiencing difficult times..and coming through it. Although uncomfortable showing this picture of me, I am grateful. Sixty days ago I was in my cardiologist office with more test results. I was going to need to bring down my triglycerides. With 80% blockage this is critical. And so the journey began. With the help of my amazing dietician, Kathy, I started my health journal. Everyday I would log my food, carbs, calories, activities, and the amount of calories burned with the exercises. Each week I would weigh in and do my body measurements ( that was so much fun to do!) and every week the results would be “ no change”. Week after week, working as hard as I could, there was no change. Have you ever been there? Some are going through chemo, suffering the side effects, and not knowing if, at the end, it was all worth it. Some continue to go to marriage counseling, week after week, but the times at home say “ it’s not working”. Still others are working three jobs, going to school for a better future, and then getting another notice that their rent is going up. When the results of your efforts seem futile it can become difficult to keep going. As our pastor shared, it’s in the action of gratitude that things begin to change. It’s very definition means “ the ability to show thanks for the things you have rather than the focus on what you don’t have”. It is a decision, not a feeling, that changes everything in your life. What WAS I grateful for? First and foremost, Jesus. I know that sounds religious, but for me it’s true. Because of Him I wake up…yes I wake up. Because of Him I wake up knowing I’m loved, no matter how I make choices for that day. With Jesus I’m never alone, I have peace, knowing He’s got my life in His hand and one day I’ll finally be home… a place of no more tears, fears, or diets for that matter!! It will be perfect. But for now I need to continue. And then I saw. I had more strength, more energy, more clarity, than I had before this health journey. My “health” journal had been transformed to a “ gratitude” journal. It wasn’t just the numbers written in it but also everyday things I was grateful for. A few days ago I got back my new blood results. I cut my triglycerides in half, and lowered it 50 points below the average!! And so the picture. On the outside appearance I could still be critical of my body but instead, it is a pose of gratitude. How about you? What are you focused on? Even in the most difficult circumstances, you can still find blessings from God…changing your horizontal view to vertical can change everything in your life. May this week find you with peace as you look to Jesus with a grateful heart.