SWB: What am I most/least grateful

This morning the alarm went off all to early. Actually I don't think it was the time that was the problem, but my dislike of ordinary (snowy in march!) Monday mornings.

I'm grateful that at the end of the weekend, I accomplished completing a project for an outstanding college course. I spent some fun time on Friday night watching old episodes of Lost's first season with my kids and husband. I had all day on Saturday to play with some art projects, reflecting, retreating and absorbing. Sunday I spent a wonderful time in worship and community with my new church: Singing, discussing scripture, and being encouraged. I am grateful beyond words for all of this.

Sleep was not high on my list of things this past weekend, but after having the flu last week I'd felt I'd slept a lifetime away.

So here's the catch as I think upon what I'm most and least grateful for today. I'm grateful for the things ( like this weekend) that fill my life. In fact, I'm one of those people that likes her life to full! Multi tasking is my thing. But the problem for the multi taskers of the world can be staying focused on ONE THING!

I have difficulty staying the course on redundant, seemingly never ending tasks like: putting laundry away, filing papers, filling in my planner and last but not least - working on school projects that I just can't get "into". I'm not grateful for busywork.

So here's the catch: I like my life to be full, but I hate it when it's full of busy work. If I'd consistently work on a little busywork at a time: I wouldn't have mountains of laundry to put away, months of paid bills to file and stacks of papers to catch up on.

I know that Rome wasn't built in a day and that I will never be the kind of woman that looks forward to paperwork and matching socks - but I desire to be at least a little grateful for these everyday kinds of things. In fact, most of my inspiration in writing, art and music comes from the "everyday" sort of living. If I didn't have the everyday to reflect on maybe there would be no source for the creative activities I so love.

Every day is not going to be an exciting whirlwind of people and places. Some days are sock matching, laundry folding and paper writing kinds of days. I need to be thankful for the sock days as well as the art days. Huh? Maybe there is a way to use the leftover socks in an art project. Hmmmmm....I think I'd try anything to get out of that chore. I've even tried to pawn that one off on my kids. I've even tried to pay them to do it. None the less - I still need to wear socks and work on school projects.

Laundry, text books, and more. If I think if them as sources to contribute to the fullness of life maybe I wouldn't put them off the way I do. Multi taskers beware, doing one thing at a time can be something to be grateful for - just like finding clean socks neatly tucked away in your dresser.

Sunny and rainy day friends

There are two kinds of friends in the world: Sunny day friends and rainy day friends. This is a statement that my Mom used to remind me of when I was in the midst of drama or conflict with one school friend of another. There are lots of people that we define as friends, but they are really acquaintances. Two men were out hunting in the northern U.S. Suddenly one yelled and the other looked up to see a grizzly charging them. The first started to frantically put on his tennis shoes and his friend anxiously asked, "What are you doing? Don't you know you can't outrun a grizzly bear?" "I don't have to outrun a grizzly. I just have to outrun you!" This story is funny, but it does help define the distinct difference between a rainy day friend and a sunny day friend. The sunny-day-friend is more concerned with watching out for their own health and wellness, than their friends' wellbeing. On the other hand, a rainy day friend is willing to take risks, work fo

FCE - Dog stroke in spine

Kahlúa is our 15 year old dog that we adopted from the Humane Society when she was four. She joined our family and has been with us for eleven years so far. This morning we found her laying on the carpet in the dining room and was unable to get up and go outside. After letting her rest for a few hours, I gave her some bread to eat and she got up. She was wobbly so I scooped her up and took her outside to go to the bathroom. She managed to remain standing for a few minutes, but was back down quickly. Her back legs did not want to support her even though she was trying to walk. By this point, she had begin to cry so I called the vet and they said to bring her in for an evaluation. My kids and I tearfully wrapped her up in a blanket and drove to the vet. It seemed as if we were sitting in the waiting room forever. The vet told me that her heart, eye function, and lungs were great - also taking into consideration her age of 15! The problem seemed to be FCE - firocartilanginous embolism: w

Gifts we have to give

So often people will think of the areas of life that they fall short or what may need some improvement. I think there is some wisdom in knowing where we need some work as humans, but I also feel it is equally important to learn, foster and use the gifts each one of us are instilled with. So here is the challenge or question that I'd like to present: "What gift(s) has God given to you that can be used in the care and ministry of loving others?" How have you seen that gift used in the past? How would you like to use it? If you dream big and I dream big together - how could God work in that big pool of gifts in the lives of others??? Let's share our gifts today and dream of what they can accomplish for God's purpose! 1 Peter 4:8-10 (New International Version) 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,

Uphill idealist

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