I didn’t know I was about to break a bone.
I’m already blushing as I start the story. You see, my sweet guy was sitting on the edge of the bed. He was dressed and ready for the day.
I walked by and he smiled.
I rushed him. Like a linebacker, minus the gear.
It was meant to be playful, (please tell me I’m not the only one who still acts silly with her guy) but when I leaped in the air toward him he grinned and did a sideways move. I flew past him like superwoman (a really bad version) and crunched into the hardwood floor just on the other side of the bed.
I broke my collar bone in half.
My shoulder took most of the impact and it was sorta-in and sorta-out of where it was supposed to be.
I was in serious pain, but all I could think of as Richard cradled me and helped me to the car was, “What in the world am I going to tell them?”
Hey hospital admission person, here’s my insurance card and by the way I’m nearly 50 and I was tackling my husband on the bed and missed.
It took weeks for my collarbone to heal and months for my shoulder to fully recover. I slept in that old, brown chair for weeks. I wrote every day with one hand on the keyboard.
You’d think that my children would have been sympathetic, but they had a heyday with it. They delighted in telling the story to anyone would listen.
Did you hear about that time my mom and dad were frolicking and mom fell off the bed?
Um, thanks guys.
What does any of this have to do with gratitude?
Sometimes we find ourselves in places we didn’t think we’d be, and it’s hard. Cancer took Richard and I to that place this last year when he was diagnosed, and a couple months ago when he had complications from the surgery.
We are in the heat of it right now with parents that are struggling with advanced stages of dementia and we have no answers.
To be honest, when things get hard we can get frustrated. Maybe a little irritated. Grumpy.
Or maybe that’s just me.
I don’t ever want to be trite and say that we shouldn’t feel a certain way. I’m so thankful that God created us with emotions that allow us to express how we feel. I just don’t want to stay stuck in a negative place too long.
[bctt tweet=”The love of God never ceases. His mercies are without end. They start new every morning. #livingfreetogether” username=”suzanneeller”]
In Lamentations 3, the writer (most theologians believe it was Jeremiah) is in that negative place. He lists a long list of complaints. Suddenly, in the midst of his conversation, his words take a drastic turn.
God’s love never ceases.
His mercies are without end; they start new every morning.
God is faithful.
We don’t know what caused him to have a change of heart.
Maybe he was looking at a gorgeous sky. Perhaps he took in a breath and realized how precious it was to be alive.
Maybe he wasn’t feeling it all, but he intentionally took a turn toward gratitude.
Ingratitude has the power to become deeply ingrained.
It makes our loved ones tiptoe around us, trying to figure how to make us happy when it’s not their job. It makes us hyper focused on what is wrong — so much so that we become blind to the good that is right under our nose.
[bctt tweet=”Ingratitude has the power to lead us down a road we were never intended to travel. #livingfreetogether #ComeWithMe” username=”suzanneeller”]
Let’s be real about the challenges, but leave room for gratitude.
Hear me, I’ve been there. Recently. ♥
But we aren’t without help in those times. When we open our heart to intentional gratitude it changes the course of our words.
It puts us on a new path in our thoughts. It gently opens the door for peace.
The situation may linger, but we are different.
Let’s do that together right now.
Walk intentionally into gratitude. Tell someone thank you. Let’s see what God can do with that beautiful act of faith.
Suzie
Related resource:
Come With Me is for the women who desires that her faith impact every part of her life. It’s what happens when Jesus whispers, “Come with me,” and we say yes, no matter where he leads, no matter what he asks.
My husband.
I am so grateful for my family! I am also grateful to have the freedom to study God’s word whenever I choose.
I’m grateful for my husband who puts up with my grouchiness when I’m not feeling well and does so much when I can’t. I’m learning to live with really bad complications of diabetes plus fibromyalgia and he has to pick up the slack as well as put up with me. I know God has a plan for this season, but I can’t fathom what it could be.
I’m grateful for finally receiving approval to be off a couple days during spring break. I planned to spend some quality time with my husband and kids since we generally don’t get to. Since we are short staffed at work my manager stalled on my approval. I just want a couple days to hang out with the people that mean so much to me.
You are the winner of one of the copies of Come With Me! I’ll privately email you.
Ever so grateful for His love and faithfulness!
I am grateful for two healthy children and for my husband who is patient with me.
Thank you for reminding me of the importance of gratitude.
This story is something else Suzie! Cracking me up with the thought of this. Of course, the aftermath was not funny. 🙂 Love your insight. I also love the title of the book and the message you are bringing. Be encouraged, this book will touch many. 🙂
I am ever so grateful for a roof over my head and food on my table.
I am grateful for my husband and son. I’m grateful for my chronic illness. God is so good!
I’m greatful for being able to stay home and raise my son while my husband works hard to provide for us.
I am grateful to have a family and God that love me despite my sharp, biting retorts come out due to my chronic pain. They love and care about me and see the real me behind all the hurt and hurtful remarks.
I’m grateful for my beautiful family and friends who make me feel loved every day.
I’m thankful that after being a Christian for 30+ years, I am learning Who I am In Christ!
Today I am grateful to see my son taking small steps towards Jesus. I have been praying for salvation for our adult children for several years, and my son is growing closer each day. Of course, as always, I am grateful for a loving Father who is full of love, mercy, and grace! ❤
I am grateful for all that God has redeemed and restored in my life…a godly husband, three daughters, one son-in-law, and four beloved grandkids!!! Every day is a gift. He is so good!!!
I am grateful for a job, to have a healthy body that is able to work and exercise.
I’m grateful for a husband who is supportive of my entrepreneurial dreams
When my children (2, 5, 7) play a make believe game together. Yesterday, they played “school” for almost 2 hours! They got along, accepted everyone’s ideas that changed the course of the game ever so slightly, and when need be, the big kids helped the littlest go potty. All 3 kids getting along like that (with no electronics) just makes my heart so full of happiness & gratitude.
I am grateful for my church family- especially my small group ladies.. They make me feel accepted and supported no matter what! Thank you!
I too am grateful for my husband who does so much to help. I have several chronic illnesses including Behcets disease, chronic migraine, fibromyalgia and arthritis that wear me out after working s full-time job. My husband has been supportive and helpful when I’m down and out. He may not understand what these diseases feel like but he picks up the slack for me when I can’t function. I am also grateful for Proverbs 31 because all of the women here have had such a positive influence on me. I look forward to reading the Encouragement of the Day every morning. The stories are “real”, the women are inspirational and God’s love is everlasting!!! Thank you!!
I forgot to put my information…
I am very grateful the Lord is softening on my heart and His grace is sufficient.
I am grateful for my family! My husband who is always there and my kiddos who have the best hearts. Even when I have days when I want to rush everyone through…I am so grateful for the three other people who live in my home
I am grateful that there are people who believe in me even when I don’t believe in myself.
I am grateful for my kids. They make me smile and laugh everyday. Often it takes just one hug to immediately brighten my day.
I’m grateful for my children. God has made them each so resilient and strong it’s amazing. My family has been through many trials and heartaches, yet my children (the oldest is only 18) know how to react naturally and responsibially. This is a monstrous triumph considering I’m a middle school teacher and work with teens everyday.
This morning as I read your blog again, your message hit home hard. I have been having ongoing health issues for a long time now. When it seems like something will never end, it starts to or something new comes my way. My husband and kids pray for me to feel better but I know now I need to pray for a better attitude, one with gratefulness and gratitude. I love my family and their patience that far outweighs mine some days. Thank you so much for sharing your story.
I don’t even know where to start! I am so blessed. Like you, there have bee some really challenging seasons in my life…but I remain forever grateful for my husband and my “community of saints”. I have no immediate family (blood relatives) left, but I take great comfort in the knowledge that those loved ones who have gone on before me surround me every minute of every day. Here on earth, my husband and I have each other…and our dreams of our future together. That wasn’t always the case, and I’m so grateful that we stuck it out and go our marriage back on course.
Hi there,
Am so grateful to have read your post today (via Daily Inspirations).
Right now I’m sitting in a coffee shop all the way over in Cornwall, England, reflecting on how amazing it is to have Sisters in Christ so far away geographically, yet so close spiritually. What a wonderful thing! We are so blessed.
With love and warm regards to you, everyone reading this!
Bless ya!
I am grateful for my life. It may not always be what I want it to be, but I was born and American with three freedom to worship and pray any way I choose. I have a beautiful family and loving husband, we have survived many painful trials together and I pray God will continue to lead us going forward. I am grateful for God the Father’s grace, Christ Jesus’ unconditional love, and for the Holy Spirit who stays with me each and every day!
I am so grateful for my amazing, sweet boys. Their smile, laughter, play ideas, are true blessings. I would not be able to stay at home with them without my hard working husband, therefore, I am extremely grateful for him too.
I’m oh so grateful for my husband who is so committed to supporting our family. He is diligent and hard working and humble to boot! Thank You Lord, for the gift of him.
I am grateful that the stroke I had on New Year’s Eve was small and I have little effect from it to deal with! Thank You Lord!
I am so grateful 6so much when I stop and think about it. My issue is that I so often don’t live in that place of gratitude…I easily forget what I’m grateful for. Thank you so much for the reminder to “be” thankful.
I am grateful for having been without a car for a week. It taught me how independent I have been and it is OK to be dependent on another. It taught me to be more flexible. It taught me to appreciate the little things more and be most grateful for friends who went out of their way to serve me. It taught me how selfish I am when I am running late and cause my husband to be late for his appt. after he drops me off at work. It taught me that many “things” in this life don’t matter, it’s the people along the way that count…and how I am to love them for His glory. Thank you Lord!
I am grateful because I know how the story ends. Life is hard and I have undergone some very difficult trials. If I did not have the hope and promise if the end I would react very different from what I have!
I am grateful for healing my husband has received from a debilitating illness.
I’m so thankful for many things, but too often I’m focused on the things that haven’t lived up to my expectations! My sweet husband is a gift for which I am truly thankful…..thanks for reminding me to redirect, refocus my thoughts.
My family, my friends and my church family….so grateful!
As we age, good health becomes one of the top things we are grateful for.
I’m grateful for my husband of 24 years who is allowing God to use him to help reframe my understanding of God and give me a better picture of what unconditional love looks like. While he has shown Christ-like love to his bride in so many ways over these years, he has done it most beautifully in this season of recovering from shoulder reconstruction surgery on my dominate arm, which was completely immobilized for 6 weeks. As you share hair styling I can help but laugh now at the many similar challenges we had along the way. Thanks for sharing your story today – all of it! 🙂 (My injury result from a rough boat ride – not nearly as fun to retell.)
Right now I am so thankful for a few great reminders of how much I Have to be thankful for. From Dr. David Jeremiah’s sermons on the churches of Revelation, and what all they endured and yet the LORD was with them, (today’s sermon) to this blog I came across helping me to see where my attitude has been so wrong this morning. Feeling so down, and really I have so many blessings. So thank YOU, for being an instrument in helping me to be Grateful, in stead of looking in the wrong direction. God bless you! I pray you are much better now… and sorry for the pain. I have to admit, you write so good that I could picture the Whole thing, and I HAD to laugh. Not at your pain though! Laughter can sure lift up a soul!
I am so thankful that we can afford for me to be retired now for almost 2 years. I am thankful that I now have time to spend with my husband & appreciate him without being tired & stressed.
I am grateful for a Good Father who loves me unconditionally and who offers new mercies every morning!
What a beautiful reminder to not take anyone for granted – even God and to be grateful for all we have.
I am grateful this morning for my three beautiful, adopted children….and the possibility of one more who will be born any day. As we wait to see if this fourth will be ours forever, I am soaking up the three we have already brought home! God is faithful, good and His steadfast love never ceases!!! We sing that verse almost every morning!! Thankful for His Love! (Your new book sounds like a must-read for this stage in my life! Looking forward to reading it!) Blessings!!
I’m an adoptive grandma! Two of my littles came from brave women who gave them a better life and I will always treasure those women. I can’t imagine my life without Luke and Josiah.
I’m grateful for my family and a good support system. We are having to live with my parents right now and even though it’s not ideal for anyone, we are very grateful!
Isn’t it crazy how one shift in perspective changes this from “I have to live with. . . ” to I’m so grateful for their support. I love this, Jennifer! What a powerful walk into gratitude.
Suzi- today would be a dandy day to say how unhappy I am.. 2 blessed people in my life passed away in the last week. instead of saying how horrible this is I am reminded of how they impacted my life in GREAT ways. I’m GRATEFUL to have known them and I’m grateful for the influence they each had in my life. They were people of faith, they helped me to learn more about prayer and listening to God’s Word. They leave behind a legacy of faith, family and friends.
I’m so sorry for your losses; praying for peace and renewed strength!
Opal, this is powerful! I love your perspective and it encourages me.
You are the winner of one of the copies of Come With Me! I’ll privately email you.
Thank you for this beautiful post. I am thankful for family and friends who remind me of God’s promises and faithfulness when I want to give up on life. They constantly remind me that He loves me no matter what, and that they love me no matter what. I am so grateful.
I am thankful for Jesus’ patience with me.
I am very grateful for my husband. He works extra so that he can provide the necessities and wants for our family. This is for me to think about in those moments when I’m upset that he isn’t home at night. As I think about it, I truly am grateful for him and his willingness to work hard to provide.
I am so grateful that His mercies are new every morning! Thankful He is a God of 2nd Chances! I am thankful that He is faithful…..that He first loved me so that I can know love.
I am grateful I live in a country I can freely worship God. And I am grateful for family and that we are close, supportive and more
I am grateful that the weather where I’m at is finally starting to get nicer and I’ve seen sunshine the past few days!
Oh Brooke, I’m a sunshine girl. We’ve had a mild winter, but the flowers that are trying to push up through the ground make me happy!
Oh, this is beautiful! I was here recently also… for far too long. I’m so grateful that you are real. I’m so grateful for a God who never leaves me, even in my yuckiest, and who showers me every morning with those new and beautiful mercies and love.
Oh, Suzie, thank you! I know exactly where you are coming from and I needed to hear God speak through you today. I had a bilateral mastectomy a week ago for breast cancer and my sweet husband has been waiting on me hand and foot but I want to be better and DO things. I tried yesterday, completely overdid it and began complaining. I suddenly realized how blessed I was that I have a husband who is such a servant, who loves me tenderly and completely. Then God blessed us with good results from my biopsy of my lymph nodes and I was SO blown away by the blessings of the Lord. He has blessed me beyond belief even in this hard time of my cancer (and my dad in end stages of dementia…..God blessed me with a trip to see him right before I was diagnosed). I am grateful and I also need to remember why God wants me to be still, listen to Him in this time when I am not able to do, do, do, but to be still, hear Him and glorify Him. Yes I am SO grateful ( even when I don’t always feel it)!!!!!
Barbara, I celebrate 25 years from Stage 3 breast cancer this September. I remember that feeling after cancer, the tube draining from my side, my body changed. Today I don’t even think about cancer (for myself). It’s not a part of my identity. I have scars but they speak of life rather than cancer. I’m cheering you on, friend. One of the most powerful gifts I received from that battle was the ability to be still and appreciate the little things, because they really are the big things in the end.
I am grateful for having the opportunity to take care of my Mom in our home. God has granted a wish of living close to her after living thousand of miles apart in the past. (Sometimes a bit overwhelming and hard as we are so very different in our habits and life skills) Blessings to you and your family and their challenges and mercies, Suzie.
Lord, thank you for Nancy and for her love for her mama. Give her all that she needs in this new season of their relationship. In your powerful name, amen.
I’m grateful for the patience my husband has with me when I try new things-a recipe, a hair cut, foods and clothes. While I think he feels like a Guinea pig, he knows I’m trying to grow, as a person and his wife.
I’m grateful for sisters of faith that strengthen me 🙂
I’m grateful for women who love the Lord and sharing Him with others.
Me, too Jodie. Me, too!
I’m grateful for the opportunity to raise our 3 year old grandson. The circumstances surrounding why we received guardianship is too long to go into, but it’s been a complete Blessing for us all. We take him to Sunday School every Sunday and he’s loving it.
Polly, I’m a “Gaga” to six littles under the age of five. Just this morning I Facetimed with two of them. They are coming to stay the weekend and are over the top excited. I know it’s hard raising a little one when it’s not what you planned, but I’m so grateful for a grandma who steps in to make his life consistent and safe. You are my hero today. Reaching to hug you all the way from here!
I am grateful for my husband who always and still does reminds me and our children and their families that everything looks better in the morning which goes along with the Bible verse “His mercies are new every morning. I am thankful for the sunshine. Psalm 84:11a “For the Lord God is our sun and our shield.He gives us grace and glory.” I am thankful for the joy that the Lord always gives us.
Isn’t it awesome when there’s one person in the group who takes the brighter side. It can change the way everyone standing within hearing distance sees life that day.
It’s too hard to pick one thing I’m grateful for, but most recently, I’m grateful a friend invited me to join your online Bible study, and your daily blogs are the perfect way to start my day. I recently read your Blood of the Fathers and couldn’t put it down; I’m now sharing it with friends at church and have ordered more of your books. I can’t wait to read them as well as your new one! Thanks for always sharing from the heart.
I am greatful for my special skills dog guide, for all the things she does for me physically but especially for the example of unconditional love that she models for me every day…a reminder of the way Jesus loves me.
I am so grateful for my God who loves me unconditionally. He is my everything, especially now when I am going thru some stressful times. I am also so thankful for my family he has given me.
I am blessed beyond belief, with friends, family, job, children….the list goes on and on. Today I am grateful for advances in medical technology that allow my husband to live a new “normal” life while being on dialysis and able to do it at home so that he can continue to be the husband and father that he desires to be. I am thankful for our health care system that supports it and provides the supplies, and for the support staff that is available 24/7 to answer our crazy questions over the phone and guide us patiently and cheerfully when we are at our wits end. SO much to be thankful for! Mostly, for our loving Father who carries us each day and loved us enough that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Reaching for a hug, sweet Sharon. My guy has battled sickness this year and it’s hard when the one you love most, next to God, is sick. Praying that you feel God close today and that your husband continues to do well.
I am so grateful that my 3 grandchildren, daughter and son-in-law just live around the corner from me!
While I don’t see them everyday, I am thankful knowing they are there. My husband has mental health problems, depression and paranoia. Some days it isn’t easy to live with, but I am grateful for the Lord and my family! Thank you for your ministry, Suzie!
🙏🏼🌈
Thank you! God be with you too!
Oh Janet, my father-in-law has advanced Alzheimers and he struggles with paranoia as well. I’m so sorry, and so grateful that you have support right there with you. <3
I appreciate your kind words! They are a blessing to me today!
LOL…I too, at almost 60, still enJOY the playful romp with my guy😉…thanks for the warning about the dangerous collarbone snap👍🏻 tackle move…I’m so very grateful for teachers & leaders like you who help me laugh past my failing & falling into ingratitude mode…I can be so hard on myself when I trip up. PRAISE & BLESSINGS on your sharing the gift of writing & teaching God gave you!
You just totally made me smile! Love it.
SO, I almost had to hv stitches in my head because I did something similar with my hubby!! Glad I’m not the only one! ! Whew! 😉 Life has thrown us many curve balls and it IS hard to always hv an attitude of gratitude. Many times, it’s an attitude of grumpy and questioning God. Like I can handle life better than Him?! TY for this timely reminder to hv an attitude of gratitude always!!
I’m grateful for friends that walk with me no matter what I’m walking through or how I’m responding to it. And even more grateful for the ones that put my focus where it should be… One the Lord and His mercies for that situation! 🙂
What a wonderful reminder of the importance of gratefulness. I fall into that ungrateful rut often, and all it does is hurt the ones I love! Last September I was diagnosed with MS, and let me tell you, I was NOT grateful for that one. But isn’t it amazing how God works for good in all the terrible situations of our lives? Having a chronic illness has given me so much more sensitivity to the pain of others wrestling with illnesses and disease. It’s also made me profoundly grateful for the men and women who serve others in the healthcare field each and every day. I’d rather not have MS, but still, I’m so blessed to experience the love of God and the joy of Christ Jesus in the midst of it all!
I look so forward to your e-mails each day.
I am so grateful for my family as I look back on all we have been through the last 10 years. Death of parents, Dementia in my Mom & dealing with Nursing Home placement, the joys of 2 Grandsons that are so loved and precious and Financial/Medical burdens.
Life is so full of ups and downs but the good Lord keeps us on track and provides for all our needs. I am so thankful every day when I get in my car and drive my 40 minute ride to a job I have been doing for 21 years that I truly love. I don’t live my life in fear or dread or defeat! I know my King and where I will be when I leave this earth. I would love a copy of your new book if you see fir to choose me-be encouraged everyday that you are loved by so many. Praying for you and your husband daily.
Thank you, Dianna. We are walking in some of the same places as you right now with my husband’s parents. Just this morning another crisis, and we feel helpless sometimes. Last night I was praying and felt led to praise God for every aspect of their lives, how they shaped the man I married, how they loved us well. How they impacted my own children. I felt such joy in those grateful prayers, but more so power and rest. I pray the same for you, friend.
Good morning,
I would love to share how grateful I am for a wonderful husband and three amazing boys I am able to call my family. We have began going to a new Church for a few months and I can already see the growth in our family! We are very excited about our new Church family. I am blessed that all of my nieces and nephews go to school with our boys which helps to keep them close as cousins and best friends.
I’m so grateful to the Lord that I’m still here! I’ve been battling an illness for almost 8 years. I know without a doubt that if it wasn’t for the Lord and my relationship with Hin I would bit be here today—still fighting! When I was at my lowest point– and every breath seemed like it may be the last one, He said, “this sickness is not unto death.” I believed Him and decided to keep on fighting until my healing comes. I’m still on the journey.–I’m not where I want to be, but I thank God that I’m not where I use to be.
Lord, you are a Healer. I’m coming beside Sheila today and asking for your healing power over her. Thank you for her courage. Thank you for her faith in you. I know that trust and faith in you brings you joy.
I’m increasingly grateful for a God who surprises, confounds, and transforms! Awestruck recently by the way He works.
I’m grateful to be Alive , and That he Found me 😇
I am grateful that God hears me and that He is helping me deal with the pain of loosing my mom 43 days ago. I miss her terribly. It felt so good to wake up today surrounded by a day filled with sunshine.
Oh Marilyn, I’m so sorry.
I’m grateful to be learning, everyday learning, more about our Lord’s loving ways.
I am grateful for close friends that I can share my most private thoughts and emotions with, while we also Praise Him for his grace and mercy! God has been SO good to me, to place such special people in my life! Friends are a true blessing, and we call ourselves Prayer Warriors, because anytime one of us needs to be lifted in prayer, we instantly call on our friends! 🙂
I love your post, Suzie, thank you!
I am grateful for a little relief from severe pain, and knowing that He is right here with me.
I am grateful that my husband is saved! When we first got married he did not go to church and he wanted nothing to do with God. We have been together for eight years and married for seven. I was raised in church and church was a huge part of my life. I was always involved from missions trips to being on the worship team to eventually being a Sunday school teacher to being the youth minister. I have done everything but be the preacher. So this was a big surprise to my family when the man that I married was not a Christian. So as I continued to go to church and after our daughter was born take her to church, you could see the struggle in him. He started to soften to the thought of going to church. Four years ago he started to go to church some times. It would be on holidays or he could not think of anything else to do. Then two years ago at Vacation Bible School on the family night, at the end of the evening our pastor got up and gave a ten to fifteen minute mini sermon on salvation and the love of God. That night my husband gave his life to the Lord. Our lives have not been the same. The next summer I was the teacher of the pre-school VBS and my husband was the class helper for the middle school. He is more involved in church and the happiest I have ever known him to be. God has done such a turn around in our family life and I would not have it any other way.
Great devotion! Suzie, sorry to hear about your collar bone, husband and parents.
I have had 2 funny stories…one, to make you feel better, where I went to tackle my husband, fell on his bedside table and broke 3 ribs. The second in a hotel room forgetting we were in a double bed and not a king size, I jumped over him to have more room and landed loudly on the floor. If the thud didn’t wake the people below, our uncontrollable laughter probably did!!!
I am most grateful for a praying grandma. If it weren’t for her interceding and prayer, I’m not sure where I would be today.
I am grateful for forgiveness…and the freedom that comes when we ask for it…Sunday I am asking for forgiveness from a very close friend, because I have not been a good friend the past couple of months…just having scheduled a time to talked with her began the feeling from shame to freedom…
I’m grateful that God never gave up on me. He put people in my life that I needed while I fought breast cancer and I’m finally at the spot where I see that He never left me even when I thought I was all alone.
I am grateful to know that my lord is at my side ‘always’, and if I forget he reminds me through his generous acts of kindness.
I am grateful for my faith, family, friends, good health
I am SO grateful for His mercy and grace every day, and I’m also grateful for fantastic books (like yours) to read with big mugs of hot tea!
Friendship
Family
My brother, sister and I lost our Mom February 7th, she is home with our Lord, we are grateful she was saved, and grateful God gave us the peace we needed, the love we share, and I am grateful our relationship were restored….thank You Jesus
Say Thank You even if the person ignores it …
You never know when it may hit them that you were grateful …
Dispite their in ability to except it @ the time …
Besides that gratitude is a lifting grace to us …
An attitude of Gratitude (I am Learning) …
Beats an attitude of the nasties/bitters/angries every time 🙂 …
So to quote Bob Marley ‘Don’t worry … Be Happy …
Have a Fantabulous Rest of Your Day 🙂
The lost of things I am thankful for should truly be endless! Today I will say that I am thankful for my health. I praise Him for all that He does in my life, but today this stands out the most!
so grateful for my husband, and the fact that I get to be God’s daughter all the time! He loves me regardless!
Very grateful to be alive, I too ! had a arm thing experience, my husband had to fix my hair too! LOL .
So thankful to be here to share and tell how God saved me, through a tragic ancient .I broke my right arm, had four surgeries spent a week in the hospital, and so thankful to be home.it’s been a two year recovery process,but Praise God I’m ALIVE! t.
I am grateful for my Sister, who I can always count on for a shoulder, advice, prayer, and forwarding me these awesome, uplifting emails just when I need them. Family is so important, and I have a great one! This was a very good message to hear today.
Thank you! 🙂
I’m thankful that I didn’t break my nose when I walked into a glass wall.
I am very grateful that I woke up with no more congestion and I am able to serve at a retreat thiz weekend.
What a funny story! I’m glad you survived and healed just fine.😊 I’m grateful for the hard things that teach me patience while God smooths my rough edges–like homeschooling our six kids while working full time on our family farm.
I am grateful that I have my grandchildren- sometimes it gets so hard I’m tired most of the time. I often wish things could have been different. I wish my daughter had not passed away . I wish my husband’s daughter was not out on drugs. I wish my husband would not have to work so hard at his age to make sure that I can stay home with all four of them. Then I remember how hard I fought for them. Taking on CPS is no easy task. I know because right now I’m fighting a losing battle for the fifth one. But God in his mercy soffit to give me custody of the other four . I look at their beautiful faces every morning and I have to say thank you, thank you for your grace, thank you for your mercy . Life is never easy, everyone has heartache. These babies could be in foster care right now. And they’re not. Thank you Father.
Such truths! I am not the nicest or the most grateful when I am in pain… I will try to remember these words next time… “His mercies are new every morning.”
Blessings!
I am SO grateful for my husband! We dated/waited for 6 years before being able to get married. Tomorrow, we celebrate 8 months of marriage, and we are loving it! He is such a blessing from God. 🙂
P.S. Suzie, I’m in the middle of “The Unburdened Heart.” It’s taking me awhile to get through because there is so much to reflect on, and I’m taking copious notes. Thank you for writing that book!!! I hope to read more of your books soon.
I’m so grateful for dear friends that pray for/with me in my hard time. My dad passed one month ago and without my sweet Christian Sisters I would still be a mess.
Love you Sheila!!
I am grateful for the Sisterhood of Stepmoms as they are women of strength, power, and hope. I was just married and have 3 step daughters and the oldest stepchild is giving me a hard time as well as the crazy ex-wife. It is hard to blend a family and these women give me hope. I am very Grateful!!!
I am grateful for a God who doesn’t give up on me.
I am most grateful for family…especially my husband who loves and supports us in all that we do!
I am grateful my dear friend is alive and well after suffering a heart attack last week. I am also thankful for my husband and children. Thank you God.
I’m grateful for this very timely post! Moments before falling asleep I got grumpy with my sister who almost backed out of a scheduled brunch tomorrow (and though we live together in the UK I haven’t had a proper dinner with her since 2016 started!). Then this almost spiraled down into a grumpiness-chain when I started thinking about a certain friend whom I just had a group dinner with a few hours ago, whereby she revealed that she wasn’t excited at all about our upcoming holiday in a week’s time… But something sparked off the thought (thank God) to read some devotionals and refresh my mind before sleeping. I set an alarm with ‘Lamentations 3:22’ as the alarm reminder and searched my mail. And this very timely article was on that very verse- and immensely helpful in realigning my thoughts back to gratitude! Especially loved the line “Ingratitude blinds us to the good around us, while we are hyper‑focused on what we wish were different.” which I realised was exactly what I was experiencing. What about thanking God for having a sister with me also studying in the UK? (We’re both originally from Singapore) What about being thankful for the upcoming opportunity to have a holiday? What about being thankful for her as a friend?
Once again- really thankful for this superbly timely devotional. Couldn’t be more blessed, thank you 🙂
On a sidenote: really looking forward to the publishing of this book! It’s a phrase which I’ve felt God speaking to me in tiny whispers the last two years!
I’m grateful for my husband and children. It’s easy to get comfortable and take for granted those we interact with on a daily basis. It’s usually these individuals who we may neglect or express our emotions freely with. However, this post reminds me that our loved ones are a blessing and gift from God and I should let them know this with my words! Thank you Suzie for this gentle and gracious reminder!
You are the winner of a copy of Come With Me: Discovering the Beauty of Following Where God leads. I’ll send you a private message and get it ordered for you1
The first song of the bird each morning. A wake up call for gratitude.
Home, after a safe week on the road with my hubby in the semi. Oh how I would LOVE to win your book. You are such an inspiration. I keep you and yours in my prayers. thank you!
I’m grateful for God’s faithfulness when I don’t even deserve it. I’m so grateful for His Word that is my map for joy – for heartache – for the valley of the shadow of death for a loved one. And, I want to thank you for your faithfulness to all of us – sharing the fun and the hard – and your trust in our Lord.
The verse from Lamentations you used is one of my favorite verses! I am so thankful His mercies are new every morning! Gratitude in “All” things is a lesson I keep needing to review. 🙂
Today I am also grateful for family.
I’m gtateful for God’s unfailing love, that endured forever and ever.
I am grateful for a husband who puts up with my (totally unintentional) tones on a regular basis. And they say women are the sensitive ones. 😄
I am grateful for loving, Christian caregivers for my mom who was disabled by a stroke nearly 5 years ago. They are a young, sweet couple with 3 children (latest one born on MY birthday last year.). They see their adult foster care home as a ministry, not a job. Thank you LORD for Benny and Michelle.
I’m grateful for my family to love – amazing husband and three great kids. I prayed on my knees for God to bless me with these gifts when I was young and single time and time again, and now 14 years later, I am overflowing with blessings of His love!
I’m grateful that I have my son and I know God. There’s no way I’d be able to get through each day without God. Some days that’s all I got. Some days I can see hope.
I am grateful for my aunt Robin. She has been a constant source of encouragement and a great example. She’s not always perfect, but her honesty about her imperfections has come a long way in helping me understand my own. God really blessed me with a great aunt and I’m truly grateful for her every day.
I am grateful that I simply am. For with that comes a truck load of wonderfulness.
He created me, I always can find His love. I never walk alone. I can be forgiven, and
learn each time about forgiving. I am because of Him. For that I am most grateful.
I am Thankfull that as a journey I began on 11 Sept 1997, to give back to our nation comes to an end on 10 Seopt 2017, I find that I was Blessed in the giving. I wanted joined the United States Air Force – California Air National Guard because of my gratitude for all that I have as an America Citizen. It is true you do not realize how blessed we are in our nation until you live in a country that has been torn apart by war. I lived in West Berlin Germany from 1985-1988 and I had several opportunities to travel into East Berlin. We as Americans take for granted our ability to drive our cars and get what we want anytime with our covience stores, East Berliner’s at that time got shipments twice a month of supplies. In the 18 pluse years in the journey I have gained sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, and even new kids (my younger troops), I have traveled, meet Presidents, Generals, and other dignitaries. I have had the opportunity to help those in need whether in uniform or out. Each day has been an amazing at the blessing I have been give . It is true that by giving back my whole life has been enriched.
I struggle to remember to be grateful most days. My husband for 27 years passed away last April from lung cancer and he did not smoke. They said it was a non smoker type was non curable and very fast type and they would try him on a new drug but it didn’t help him. This has been the hardest thing I have had to go through and am not thankful that God did not heal him as we requested but know that God knows best so am trying to move forward and be grateful for my getting through the hardest time in my life as I know HE is with me and helping me through this time. .
I’m so grateful for having the opportunity to stay at home with my daughter! I pray that I would continue to see it that way, especially in the midst of the hard days. It is a blessing and a sweet opportunity!
I’m thankful for God’s faithfulness in providing what I need when I’m not even asking for it.
So grateful thst Father loves me at my darkest!
Im grateful for His love that never ceases, they are new every morning, great is His faithfullness.
Today’s devotional was what I needed to hear. I have been frustrated with things in my personal life that I cannot control and I find myself being quick to anger and frustrated with my kids. Apologies after blow-ups are me new norm. 🙁
Nevertheless, I am grateful for children with tender, forgiving hearts. When I spew my own frustrations on my children I’m always amazed at how quick they are to forgive. I am thankful for children protected by the Lord’s covering, especially when I make mistakes. I’m grateful for new beginnings, even if he new beginnings are moment by moment each day.
I’m grateful for my wonderful family.
I’m grateful for my wonderful family!