I’m constantly telling my girls,
Say ‘Thank You’…
And they do, politely usually. They are getting it and soon it will be more than habit.
But its comfortable to them to be grateful because their ever-present mother is asking. When I’m not with them and the teacher holds the door open for them, do they smile and say “thank you?” I hope so.
Today I’m writing over at (in)courage.
Inconvenient Gratitude
Am I thankful?
Sure I am. As long as it’s convenient.
As long as the gift-giver is within ear’s reach of my thank you. And as long as what I’m thankful for is good, comfortable, pleasant and smells great.
I never thank anyone for rolling over my toe with their cart in the grocery store or thank someone for an unkind word. And I never thank God for struggles.
I mean, how stupid would I sound:
Thank you, God, for NO MONEY to pay the mortgage today.
Thank you that my seven-year-old has emotional outbursts every morning before school that reduce her to a pile of unbrushed auburn waves and tears on the bathroom floor.
Thanks for spilled apple juice, dried and sticky on the floor…
Click here to read the rest.
Are you grateful during the uncomfortable, inconvenient times?
Am I thankful for hardships? No! Not usually.
Lately though…things are different. This year I have struggled through hardship. I’ve had to deal with heartache – the type that doesn’t go away. I’m talking about my failings, my sin, my selfishness, my fear. Horrible, gnawing fear.
But here I am today. Still with the heartache, but honestly, truly, thankful. Thankful for a faithful and merciful God. Thankful for a man who is my safe harbour, my constant. Thankdful for my children who love me unconditionally. Thankful that God will accomplish ALL that he purposes to…even in me.
So yes. I am thankful in hardship. Perhaps even for hardship. Mostly for my God and His grace.
I couldn’t be more thankful to read this entry this am. Its reminded me that there are others who think & feel the way I do about being thankful and grateful for the rough/tough times. THANK YOU!
What an awesome message! Love it! I am finding myself to be only thankful looking back….you know like Thank you God that didn’t work out because if we would of moved….well we would have lost our job! It’s hard and I love the end…it’s a choice!
Sheena
grateful during the uncomfortable times? not a natural thing for me…..often, i need to be reminded-like a child-to say thank you, for He knows the end of the story and sees the big picture….even and maybe especially the uncomfortable times.
Yes, I am very thankful each and every day! Recently we had a 18 month old beautiful baby boy from our church diagnosed suddenly without warning with a brain tumor. It was 3 months from the time he was diagnosed until he went to heaven. Those 3 months our church prayed for him while his parents never left his side. Grueling treatments persued… the pain that family endured I hope no one ever has to feel. So Sarah, even on my worst days where everything goes wrong with my 3 toddlers and I have been up all night with teething etc… I thank God I am in my home with my healthy children… and I mostly pray for those who are less fortunate that I…. I am so blessed!
I do feel thankful and I am glad I read this. It calls my attention where it needs to be…thankful for everything that God has provide me.
Thanks for this post!
Sarah ~ I am definitely thankful I read your blog this morning! I actually wrote a short blog on being inconvenienced yesterday and how ungrateful I was!
But just as soon as that happened I felt the Lord show me how to be grateful even in that particular situation. Great confirmation for me today!!!
Sarah…another eye opening post…THANK YOU!
You’re right…I’m not thankful for those times…but should be…when we’re in har times, and stressful situations, we pull through to positive changes.Striving for better and more welcoming times.
Oh, I’m running a contest on my blog for one of my “Once Upon a Time” original watercolours…thought you may want to enter!
Have a lovely day!
Char.x.
Thank you for a wonderful post, how right you are. God has been highlighting this point to me lately everywhere I look.
Thank you Sarah!! Once again God has used your words to prick my heart! I choose to be grateful…in all circumstances!
Wow. I’m so glad I had opportunity to read your post today at (in)courage. I am in the middle of a real struggle on this very issue. Thank you for writing on this topic. It made me think….but, it’s also comforting to know that I am not alone in these thoughts.
It takes work, most of the time, to CHOOSE to look for thanks-giving-praises….
But it is oh so worth it.
They JOY is an unspeakable gift!
Hugs,
Traci
It takes work, most of the time, to CHOOSE to look for thanks-giving-praises….
But it is oh so worth it.
The JOY I get in return is an unspeakable gift!
Hugs,
Traci
I am thankful that you came and shared your amazing testimony on Sunday at Grace Church! Definitely made an impact!
-Mary
I actually find myself more thankful during the stressful times. When my husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor and, after radiation, was having seizures I found myself turning to God almost hourly and thanking him for taking care of my husband and giving me the strength I needed to help him. When things are going great, I’m not as thankful. It’s almost like I’ve put God on the back burner and am concentrating on enjoying the blessings without giving thanks for them. I feel like I forget that I do need Him everyday, that I’m taking His blessings for granted. Lord, thank you for Sarah and her way of bringing out our weaknesses and our strengths. Help me to be thankful everyday.
I love your message; it’s one that I’m gradually learning also.
Your writing is such a blessing to me.
Thank you.
Thank you for what you wrote as my own trials have been consuming me. A marriage of 8 months that is in shambles. A Christian husband that I found out is addicted to porn. He is busted and only because I found out through my own research. I am very lost, but I know that whatever happens will only make me a stronger woman of God, and I said praise the Lord for that.
Blessings to you……
I once read that you can not truelly appreciate a sunrise until you have stood in the darkness.
You dont appreciate breathing until you experience an asthma attack. I was pregnant with my second child. I came down with a cold that damaged my lungs. Because I was pregnant i could not heal properly. i had in effect – pregnancy induced asthma. I went from having normal healthy lungs to having to fit to breath (worse than a normal pregnant women). Once the baby was born I could breath normally again.
I almost lost my husband and family to my sin. I used to resent having to clean up after them. I resented my husbands expectations that i drop what I am doing and come help him when ever he calls (I feel as if i spend more time getting up and sitting down than actually sitting)…but now – after almost losing them…everything is more. Each thing I do for my H is a chance to show love. Each time i tie a shoe lace – kiss a boo boo…hug my husband – its special. Having almost lost it all – i value it so much more.
I’ve been thinking a lot about thankfulness lately…but I all too often forget to be thankful even in the hard times. But those are the times when our hearts and minds need it most. Thanks for the reminder.