- When the chirping of crickets began, I startled. I had been sleeping so soundly, akin to Rip Van Winkle, that when my alarm of insect sounds pulled me from my slumber, I was disoriented. I managed to silence the bug’s song, and laid there very still, forcing my eyes to stay open, and trying to convince myself to make the decision to leave my fortress of blankets. As I pulled back the covers and slid to a sitting position, I felt a chill in the air and had to fight the desire to climb back into the beckoning warmth behind me. At first I thought I just needed to adjust to leaving the solace of my comforter, but then I realized, no, it was really cold. I walked into the hall and noticed the nursery door was open. I glanced at the digital thermostat and was confronted with an actual temperature reading far below the desired setting. I tried a few buttons in vain, and resigned to the fact that I would need to wake my sleeping husband. Being a night owl, he was already aware of the temperature discrepancy, and despite my hopes otherwise, he confirmed that the heat had stopped working through the night. He got up and lit a fire for me, something he had done earlier that morning to warm up the house for his sleeping brood. The heat from the fire traveled down the small hall, and effectively entered the baby’s room through her normally closed door. I felt better then, as if it would be okay after all.
- Minutes later I stood in the shower, allowing the water to saturate me, pull me awake, and warm my body. Before committing to my journey of cleanliness, I simply stood there, lost in my own thoughts. I thought of my girls, and their recent snuffy noses and fever. I thought, What a terrible time for them to be cold! I thought of the financial aspect possibilities of a broken heating unit. I stood there, allowing the hot water to fall on me, and I realized I was at a crossroads in my thoughts. My thoughts could either go one way, or they could go another. I pushed away the money worries, and I reminded myself that being cold doesn’t make you sick, that viruses do. I chose that moment to say, “Thank you God for this hot shower.” The water truly felt magnificent, covering my chilly body in its enveloping heat.
- I thought of a trend I had seen this year and years past on social media where people commit to post daily about something for which they are thankful. I recalled seeing people’s initial posts and how some had described thankfulness for multiple family members in a single post. At the time, I had thought, Shouldn’t you write a single post for each family member so you don’t run out of stuff before the end of the month? Standing in the steamy spray this morning I realized how far off I was. You can’t run out of stuff. The list really goes on and on. It’s just a matter of recognizing it. I fall short of this so many times, and I focus on where I lack rather than where I exceed. But this morning I chose an attitude of gratitude, deciding to be grateful for my blessings in spite of problems, and actually in light of them. I chose to be grateful that we had an alternate form of heat to keep us warm enough until something else could be done. This morning I came across this scripture.
Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
As I started my day at work I realized I was in an attitude of joy. I could think of no reason why I would feel so joyous at work other than The Lord. I chose to count my blessings rather than dwell on my problems, (which were more than a broken heating unit), and this decision brought me peace. An thankful attitude brightened my entire day.
That is all 🙂