She Dances Over Graves

The focus of today’s praise challenge is training our minds to see the great value in the seemingly small things.  Because so often, the things which look small only appear that way in comparison to the big storms looming on the horizon of our lives.  In reality, however, those storms eventually pass, and the “little things” remain, steady and constant and still bringing life.

So today, I want to challenge you to be conscious in remembering those little things, which are really the big things…which are really the things that matter the most.

Make a list, and keep it near you today.  Each time you are tempted to complain or get angry or break down in exasperated tears, first grab your list and give thanks for one thing on it.  You may still cry or be angry or give in to the temptation to complain afterward, but you will have begun to cultivate a habit of looking for the good first.  And eventually, this habit will grow into a way of life that will bring the light into every cloud that hovers with darkness.

And one day, you and I will be able to find the good and live in it, without allowing the difficulty to distract us and pull us into its power.  We will learn to celebrate what matters, and to keep our eyes on God’s blessings, which sometimes come in the form of tragedies, and we will be able to help each other to glean the beauty from all of it.  This, my beloved friends, is turning our sorrows around.

Here’s my list for today:

1. I have breath in my lungs…which means God is not finished with me yet.
2. I woke up, and God was with me, which means I am not abandoned, but rather fiercely and intentionally loved.
3. I can hear my children pitter-pattering in the background (I am choosing to focus on the joy of having them home and healthy, rather than the mess they are creating and the bickering they are sure to start soon!)
4. It’s Saturday, which means I have room to play.
5. The sun is out, and I can soak up its light.
6. I am healthy enough to get up and take a shower and feed myself.
7. I am surrounded by women who are on the same journey I am, and I can draw strength and encouragement from our choice to move forward together.
8. I have enough money to put gas in my car and go somewhere today.
9. Tomorrow I have church to look forward to.  I love my church and my church family.
10. I can laugh, even when I feel like crying.  I am surrounded by things that bring healing laughter to my soul.

There are, in reality, so many more little things I can be thankful for.  But for simplicity’s sake, I’m going to let these be my focus today.

I hope you’ll make yourself a list, and then use it!  And I hope it will open up opportunities for you to pause and praise, as you reflect on the good that is still very visible in your life.  This can be a life-changing weapon, if we are willing to pick it up and use it.

Be blessed as you train your mind to praise, in all things, today!