Wednesday, September 23, 2009

blue

It's wonderful to be home, even if I arrived to a mound of laundry and dishes and a hectic school schedule:) While I was in Denver it was very warm - hot even - and yet I heard it just snowed there on the first day of fall! Everything changes, right down to the weather. My mountaintop experience at the conference is no exception. I've been feeling a bit blue as reality rushes in and the Denver Marriott and chocolate mousse recede from memory. Ever wonder why a low follows a high, or a valley a peak?

I think the key to dealing with either is attitude. Sometimes blessings have to be yanked from us before we appreciate them for the gifts they are. I remember all too well losing the gift of health for a time and it scared me to death. After that I began to thank Him for the simple act of waking up feeling normal. This week when I mentally stewed about my to-do list, I was reminded that I have the health and time to deal with a busy schedule. And His Amazing Grace to get me through!

Some of us are naturally cheerful. My mom is one of those people. I don't think she's ever had a down day. Or she hides it well:) JOY should be her name. I'm sure she wonders why she's been blessed (?) with a melancholy daughter. Many writer types get the blues. But there's a great anecdote. Scripture tells us to live a lifestyle of praise. We're to offer "a sacrifice of praise," which tells me we're to give thanks even when we don't feel like it, even when we're blue. He's working behind the scenes of all those dark days and we can take heart in that, if nothing else. And that's huge!

This morning I woke up at 5:00 am and read this anonymous quote, "There is no damage of developing eye-strain from looking on the bright side of life."

Can you think of five things for which to be thankful? I can think of fifty!

7 comments:

  1. Laura, I'm quite surprised to find that you are the "melancholy" type, as am I....as you surely know, since you read my blog!

    I envy people like your mother who can always be, or appear, cheerful. What must that be like?

    We have to live with an attitude of praise even when we don't feel like it. It's an act of obedience to Him.

    Here's a praise from last night: My son poured out his heart to my husband and me about things going on his life. My instinct is to feel a little sad that my baby is growing up---but I turned it into praise to God that my son is a happy, healthy child who is doing exactly as God intended: Growing Up!

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  2. Oh, yes---I hope you are over the blues soon, dear friend. I just know that God has exciting things planned for you this fall and winter!

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  3. Mary,
    I love your time with your son! That is such a praise! To have a happy, healthy, talkative child! What a blessing that is. I really related as our boys are the same age and mine is not wanting to talk about things. I've sensed through your blog that you have a special relationship with your son and that is so important.
    You said something so very important, an attitude of praise is an act of obedience. How true!
    I'm so glad to have a melancholy friend like you:) That's another praise!

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  4. faith
    family
    friends
    pets
    the little things in life

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  5. Yes! I love your list, Virginia. And the little things you mentioned are so important:) Bless you!

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  6. #1... the big one!!!
    JESUS MY SAVIOR AND FRIEND!

    And I have 5 more things to be thankful for...they are sleeping safe and snug in their beds right now.

    I'm thankful for my country.

    I'm thankful for my parents and the Christian heritage that I was raised up in.

    I could go on and on and on....

    It's always good to think of these blessings.

    Count your blessings,
    name them one by one,
    count your blessings,
    see what God has done.

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  7. Lisa, I love your list! Also, the little song you added at end is one my granny used to sing and one I know well. I haven't thought about it for awhile so am thankful you reminded me:) Bless you and all your little blessings today!

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