Attitude adjustment

I am in need of an attitude adjustment.

The easiest thing to do when things aren't going that great is usually to focus and dwell on the negative but I don't want to do that. I want to do the opposite and take an opportunity to list a few of the many blessings God has given me. I decided to take this approach after reading Psalm 103:2 "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." I don't want to forget the things God has given me so here are some of the things from my "blessings list"...

- I still can't get over the fact that I can have a personal relationship with God. The man who spoke the oceans into existence and carved the mountains not only knows what I am going through but cares about me, cares about my thoughts, my aspirations, my struggles and my strengths. He has plans for me. He desires to teach and guide and provide for me. He gave his life so that I may live and when I cry out in praise or plea, He hears me. He loves me like no one else can. How that is possible is beyond my comprehension.

- "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." John 17:17 I am so thankful for the Bible. God preserved it, perfectly. When I open it and read it, I can have confidence in those words. It brings comfort, encouragement, wisdom and warning. I own my very own copy of His precious Word and can freely read it which is a privilege that I do not want to take for granted.

- My family. What can I say and where do I start? They leave me speechless, sometimes because of just how great they are and sometimes for other reasons. :) We may not have the nicest things this world has to offer but we love each other and enjoy spending time with each other. I laugh the hardest with my family, even though you may not be able to hear me. :) As I get older I appreciate them more and more. They are always there, no matter what, no matter what mistakes I make, no matter what foolish things I say, no matter if we disagree from time to time, no one on Earth knows me better or loves me more than my family. They look past my faults and just see their daughter or their sister. As my family continues to grow, it just gets that much better! Most importantly, everyone in my immediate family is saved. We have decided to follow Jesus and it so wonderful to be able to serve Him together, with family. I am very truly blessed and thankful for MY family.

- I am very blessed to be part of a wonderful church. I have plenty of opportunity to serve God. From teaching Sunday school to the coolest 3-6 year olds around to singing at a local nursing home and even cleaning the little white church on the corner. These are all opportunities to serve Him. They are opportunities and not duties. I do them out my love and gratitude to Him and what He has done for me and I am thankful to be a part of a church where He is emphasized, His Word is preached and serving and loving Him is encouraged. The musical talent that seeps from the mismatched pews is astounding as well and is about as close to the Heavenly harmonies I think we can ever experience here on Earth.

- I am blessed with great friends. Godly friends who send a text encouraging me to not give up and reminding me that I am loved and friends who also are waiting on the Lord, not willing to settle for less than His best and not lowering their standards to give in to the lusts and temptations of the world. I have great friends who leave a container of homemade soup in my fridge so I can have some for lunch and friends who will scrub my kitchen ceiling and of course those friends who are willing to play the occasional game of pinochle with me, even though I don't lead out with trump. I am so undeserving.

This isn't a complete list by any means and I know I will post more at a later time but let me wrap this post up with a posing a question to you...what would your "blessings" list look like? Is it longer than your "complaints" list?

I know mine is.

"Let everything that hath breath praise the lord. Praise ye the Lord." Psalm 150:6