Today in an exercise in being grateful, I paid attention to things around me in a focused way. While driving around to do my errands I sought convenient parking places and grumbled at the cars parked closest to where I wanted to be; then I stopped. Thank You God that I don’t have a handicapped placard to hang in my window – thank You that I’m able to walk the distance from my car parked in Timbuktu. As I braced myself against the cold, shivering and complaining that my coat wasn’t keeping me warm; I stopped. Thank You God that I have a coat and I’m not out in the cold shivering like this all the time. A man stood at the door I needed to go through but didn’t open the door for me, “Some gentleman,” I mumbled under my breath.
As I walked into the building a woman on crutches approached the door so I held it opened for her with a smile even though I was racing myself to the bathroom. I looked down at her bare feet and shuddered, Thank You God that I don’t have a broken leg and bare feet.
I dashed over to the ladies room angry with my tiny, weak bladder, bursting through the door like I was on official business. Sigh. Thank You God, I made it in time.
I scurried up the stairs to my second floor appointment and noticed a gray-haired lady hunched over heading my way with a scowl on her face. Thank You God that I can smile at strangers and stand up straight when I walk.
I couldn’t help but notice that every single murmuring complaint was countered by at least one thing to be grateful for. As the afternoon passed I looked for, and found, even more things to be grateful for on the shadow of my complaints. Sheesh. Who knew I complained so much? And those were only internal complaints!
Thank You, God, You love me anyways. I’ll try to do better tomorrow.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. (NKJV)
