Monday's Blessing
Psalm 92:1

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your loving kindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness by night."
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How often do you stop to list the things in your life you're most grateful for? If your answer is, "Not often enough!" I'm with you. Maybe it's because I was raised Jewish, and in our tradition declaring that you're happy is said to invite bad events. Whatever the reason, I have an annoying tendency to focus on the negative.

Have you ever considered that perhaps you aren't getting your prayers answered because you are not grateful for what God has already done for you? Think of it as a parent.  If you child is grateful, and he or she sincerely thanks you for what you have done, you want to do more for him or her. On the other hand, if your child is not grateful, and all he or she does is hound you for more, you're not apt to help that child very much.

It is similar with God.  The Scripture teaches us that we should continually give God thanks; we should live with an attitude of gratitude.  

Mother often asks me, "How can you be still grateful with the situation you are in? If it were me, I'd have given up on affirmations."  But, I guess I'm one of those people who look at life with a glass half full.  No matter what perilous situation I find myself in, God has consistently shown me a brighter path.  That, I believe, is to my eternal gratefulness.  I send affirmations to God when I first wake, throughout the day, and again in the evening.  He never forgets my needs.

Reminding yourself to feel grateful is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Few mental adjustments bring so great a benefit. Consider all the good things that can happen if you start reminding yourself, even just once a day, of all you have to be grateful about:

1. You'll be in a better mood

Focusing on your reasons for gratitude means focusing on the things that make you happy. And as I'm trying hard to learn, being happy about the good things in your life won't cause the Evil Eye to come after you. It will just give you a more optimistic outlook, which will in turn make you feel happier and more grateful. It's a self-reinforcing cycle, and that's a good thing.

2. You'll be more popular

If your usual attitude is to be grateful for the good things in your life and you have a positive, happy outlook, you will be more fun to be around than if you're constantly griping about everything. Most people are drawn to those who are positive, happy, and optimistic than they are to constant complainers. Your happy attitude may even prove to be contagious, making them happier too.

3. You'll be more resilient

Practicing gratitude will tend to give you a sense of perspective. If, as many gratitude gurus recommend, you start the day by mentally listing three things you're grateful for before you even get out of bed, you'll have a much better sense of what really matters than if you start the day by reaching for your phone or tablet and reading your email.

That sense of perspective may make a difference when you're faced with a difficult co-worker, employee, or customer, a business or personal setback, or any of the other frustrations of modern life. You'll be likelier to handle those frustrations with more wisdom, because keeping the things you're grateful for in mind will help you see the big picture.

4. You'll be more generous

I'm not just talking about actual giving, although that might happen as well. I mean something larger--the ability to consider a situation from someone else's point of view and treat that person with as much kindness as possible. Remembering that you're grateful for your job or business will help you get over your aggravation if one of your co-workers or employees leaves a task unfinished so that you have to complete it.

5. You'll be better of attracting positive vibes 

Some people are big believers in the Law of Attraction, which says that which you focus on will come to you. That is, if you're always thinking about debt, you'll have more debt. If you're always thinking about wealth, you'll have more wealth.

I'm not sure I subscribe to this view. In particular, it seems to me that the people with the most debt are those who never think about it all. But I do believe that where we focus our attention, we are likelier to make things happen, and so if nothing else, the Law of Attraction has homed in on a profound part of human nature. Will thinking about what we're grateful for tend to bring us more of whatever that is? It seems highly possible to me that it will.

6. You'll live longer

Three years ago, research confirmed what most of us have already observed: Happier people live longer, healthier lives. In a surprising study, researchers divided older people into happy, unhappy, and in-between categories and then tracked them over five years. More of the unhappy group died than either of the other two, and once researchers had controlled for age, chronic illness, depression, and healthy or unhealthy behaviors (such as getting regular exercise), they found that happy people were 35 percent less likely to die than unhappy ones. Practicing gratitude will not only make your life more enjoyable, it could actually give you more life.

Perhaps you lost your joy.  You've lost your enthusiasm. you've lost your victory.  You would get it back if you will start today being more grateful.  When you're tempted to become discouraged, recognize that he root cause can often be traced to having an ungrateful heart. 

​Monday's Blessing

1 Peter 1:6-7

"Be truly glad!..... These trials are only to test your faith, to see whether or not it is strong and pure.... So if your faith remains strong after being tried in the test tube of fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day of his return."
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Isn't it strange as, we age, we seem to think where we are at this moment is where our trail has ended.  We become complacent, not willing to view our world peripherally but rather through tunnel vision.  We don't want to deal with little mishaps and innuendos that flood our outfield each day. After all, this world has become quite comfortable, and so have we, that change is something not often welcomed.  

It is important to remember the Bible says, "We are God's workmanship" (Ephesians 3:10). That means we are continually a work in progress, not a finished product.  Be willing to deal with any issues that God brings up.  Work with Him in the refining process rather than fighting against Him. Simply put, we are never too old for change.

Scripture says that God is the potter and we are the clay.  Clay works best when it is pliable, malleable, and moldable.  But if you are hard, crusty, and set in your ways, God will have to pound away on that old, hard clay to get out the lumps.    
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Several years back I can attest to this pounding.  I am an educator by trade.  A friend and I decided to reform the present mission statement at our school. We were getting in quite a few students who were slipping through the cracks in the traditional school model.  So, we thought we'd implement a new program that had bit more enrichment utilizing our natural state sunshine. 

Honestly, I had felt that "pull" from God directing me to take special education children.  But, we both felt we were not trained to do so, not to mention the added patience we would need to organize an entire student body.  So we resisted taking in special needs scholarships due to a preconceived notion.  Sure, we received a few students who were interested in the new program but not enough.  Shortly, two years later, we had to close our doors.  

I found myself without a job for two years.  Financially it was quite a drain, and by the time my unemployment was up I had desperately taken a job with special needs.  God had "pounded" on my door for years and I never listened! Now he had pounded that clay so furiously that I had no alternative but to take the job at hand or lose whatever I owned.

Needless to say of course, this was not what I had planned and the first few weeks were questionable.  How can I get a routine in this class?  How can I get the non verbals to respond? Many were high functioning, but what do I do with the rest?  Even so, there was a sense of calm inner wisdom guiding me through God's own hands.

As days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months, I found a renewed peace. This was were I was supposed to be.  There were no extra demands from this job as I had previously thought.  In fact, this was the easiest, most self-rewarding, job I ever had!  Why had I not listened to God before?  Was it because I was too old, set in my ways?

Too often we pray, "God if you will change my circumstances, then I'll change."  That was me, praying my soul out every day, asking for more kids!  God was sending me kids- just not the one's I thought I wanted!  You see, it always works the other way around. We have to be willing to change our attitudes and deal with the issues God brings up, then god will change those circumstances.  

Certainly, none of us enjoy going through struggles, but you have to understand that your struggle may be an opportunity for advancement and promotion. The very thing you are fighting against so tenaciously may be the springboard that catapults you to a new level of excellence. Your challenges may become your greatest assets, just like mine did!

So, if you are going through a change right now, buckle up and get on for the ride. Keep your feet and hands in the cart and let God steer the way!

This Week's Meditation:

God, please give me the strength and courage to make these changes in my life.  

Meditate on this for several minutes a day. Allow various thoughts to come into your mind.  If you are especially upset state:

God I knew you are in the drivers seat.  Please grant me the knowledge and patience to take on this new quest you set before me.   

Remind yourself of healing each moment. ​God has you in his arms always.


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Monday's Blessing
1 Peter 4:12

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange things were happening to you."
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About five years ago I went through that fiery ordeal.  In fact, as I look back, that fiery ordeal seemed to be an understatement.  I had thought, at that time, the fire was so intense, there was just no way to forge through it.

In less than a month, I had lost my job, I was over 50 (which meant the pickin's were slim), my son was diagnosed with a disorder (that required money for testing), I came down with a chronic illness (and I didn't have insurance), and my car began to fall apart (which made it difficult to get to interviews.

To top it off, my illness prohibited me from getting out of bed for too long and walking any length of distance.  I was on unemployment, tinkered with the idea of SSI (but knew that could take up to two years for approval).  "Why me?" I asked God quite often.  "How am I going to press onward when I have not one opportunity at my feet?" I don't even think that word "scared" sheds a fraction of light on what I was feeling.  I had kids. I had a home.  There was no one else to turn to. "How will I survive?" I thought.  "Unemployment will end in four months, and I'm too sick to work!"

​When adversity comes to your door it doesn't knock.  It just barges right in, plops down on your living room floor and begins to wreck havoc in your life.  The scripture says, "Don't be amazed at the fiery ordeal that's taking place to test your quality, as thought something strange were happening." God is placing you in line to test your character and refine you.

At some point a year into my ordeal I met with an amazing God-fearing Christian woman.  I liked her immediately.  I had met her at the CBE (facility to help the unemployed) on one of my downer days.  She brought me into her office and sensed my disconnect from the world.  We began to speak in length about my trials and tribulations of the past year. She listened intently and looked straight into my eyes, and spoke softly, "Child, God is putting you through the fire.  When you come out you're going to be like gold this time."  I totally "got" what she was saying.  I knew I would be stronger, but I just couldn't put my finger on when.

She explained if God didn't put us through adversity you wouldn't be prepared adequately for what he has in store for you.  Sometimes great lessons are learned through the worst circumstances.

There maybe be a reason God is causing us to grow.  We can't see into the future, but I can promise you these lessons will be remembered at a later time.  

Sometimes God uses other people to put us through the refining fire.  You may be thinking, "But I can't stand the way my boss reacts when I say certain things I feel improve the company.  God, can you please make him change?" Well, maybe God doesn't want him to change, maybe it is you who is on his list.  God is not going to change anyone you are dealing with until he changes you.  

A year spent in havoc was all it took on my part.  Yes, it seemed a bit long, but all my needs were met along the way.  I know the route would have been easier if I just let God take the steering wheel the whole way.  But, as you know, being human gets in the way some days. I now have a job I love going to work.  I didn't always feel that way. Most importantly, great lessons were taught that year that help me prepare for my present position.

This Week's Meditation:

God, please give me the strength and courage to make these changes in my life.  

Meditate on this for several minutes a day. Allow various thoughts to come into your mind.  If you are especially upset state:

I know you will work it for my good.  It is stretching me, but I know I'm growing.  I'm going to come out of this stronger, happier, healthier, and better off than I was previously.  

Remind yourself of healing each moment. ​God has you in his arms always.

Monday's Blessing
Psalm 37:23

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. "
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I get so flabbergasted when someone asks me, "Why did God do this to me?"  Why would anyone think that God intentionally targeted them to maim and make them miserable?  All accounts in the Bible show no such personality of God.  Yes, it is understood in the old testament that he punished those who refused to listen to him.  But there is not one reading where God aims his mighty sword just to slay his children.

Sadly, we all experience pain in one way or another.  And, we are constantly looking for a reason why such pain was inflicted.  That is human nature, we are innately curious.  We have this incessant need to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, as to why we were traumatized. Unfortunately, at times, this is impossible.  In turn, we become more frustrated targeting God. After all, who else could harbor the power to cause such volatile situations?  

Kathy, a past student, was touched with death early.  She had married the man of her dreams from high school.  They were childhood sweethearts, and she could not imagine her life with anyone else.  She felt blessed physically and spiritually.  She knew God was taking care of her every need, and she was in a constant state of affirmation.  

Then one year later the inevitable happened.  Her husband, Pat, a hard working engineer received a career bonus that was unexpected.  He had been promoted to management in a large facility.  Life was suddenly better than good, and the Franks moved to a larger house with all the amenities. Within months Pat was out at the bars with his colleagues solidifying new plans for the organization.

But, also in that short time, Pat found he had a predisposition to being an alcoholic.  Happy hour was soon extended each night at home.  Pat continued to work as a functioning alcoholic, but Kathy could see a huge phantom lurking in the distance.  This bleakness scared her to the core, and she pleaded with Pat to get help.

Pat could not see a problem at hand that required counseling, but he promised to curb his drinking down the road before he allowed another person into their relationship to help.  Within two months Pat was dead and Kathy was devastated.  She mourned over and over, "This happened too fast! How could he have gotten alcohol poisoning so suddenly?"  

Kathy later found out that he had a liver disorder, previous to alcoholism, that was found in the autopsy.  

Living life is not always easy.  Sometimes it is downright difficult.  But, regardless of what's going on in your life, don't use that as an excuse to live in discouragement and despair.  Understand that the tough times in life cause us to grow; that's when our faith is stretched.  That's when God is doing a work in us.  It may be uncomfortable.  We may not like it, but if we can keep the right attitude, God has promised to use that difficulty for our good. He'll use it for our advantage.  

Unbelievably, Kathy had faith even though every dream was just shattered.  She knew God would turn her life around eventually and add more unexpected blessings.  We are often told to have faith in adversity.  Or, we are told, God sends us tests to ensure we keep our faith.  I'm not certain about that, but I do believe that as adversity grows in my life so does my faith.  And what can that faith be?  For me, it is that defining goal of an intimate relationship with God.  That wonderful feeling of his comfort that envelops me even in the most dire situations and keeps me afloat.  

If you lose your joy every time something negative happens to you, then the enemy will continue to attack.  He'll make sure you always have somebody in your life who irritates you, or some situation that going to keep you sour.  Don't make that mistake.  

Our Scripture today says, that "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord." If God is directing your steps, then you can be confident that he is aware of your circumstance.  Choose to enjoy each day in spite of your circumstances.  Grow in your faith and begin speaking more to God.

As for Kathy, she was right!  Two years later she married a wonderful man, who she feels is her soulmate.  They just had a son to add to their family.  She told me, "Most people only are blessed with one true love.  God has blessed me with two."  

This Week's Meditation:

God, I may not understand this, but I know you have me here for a reason.  

Meditate on this for several minutes a day. Allow various thoughts to come into your mind.  If you are especially upset state:

I know you will work it for my good.  It is stretching me, but I know I'm growing.  I'm going to come out of this stronger, happier, healthier, and better off than I was previously.  

Remind yourself of healing each moment. ​God has you in his arms always.