Have you ever had a friend or acquaintance that, from all outward appearances, has never experienced a true hardship in all their life? You've never seen them face a major life catastrophe or need. It appears that, compared to you, they have life easy. The operative word in that sentence is compared. God's Word says in 2 Corinthians 10:12 that when we compare ourselves with others we aren't wise. But, I know I've done it, and I assume you probably have, too. For example, during challenging times in the ministry, I've been guilty of comparing my life with the life of friends who don't live the life of pastor/pastor's wife or during tough financial times I've inwardly compared my life to those who don't appear to have those type of struggles. Truthfully though, I don't know, can't always see on the outside, the suffering of others. And, let's just get real, if we're into comparing, compared to so many in this world, I have no excuse for complaining. My point? Comparing robs us of having an attitude of gratitude. Instead, comparison causes us to develop the mindset that when God was handing out blessings, somehow we got the short end of the stick. While, I can't say I don't still fall into the comparison trap sometimes, deliberately writing down my blessings for the past six years has helped me to recognize that I haven't got the short end of any stick, what I have is a truly blessed life.
*******************
Since 2009 I've been counting my blessings thanks to the prompting of Ann Voskamp.
I continue to count my thanks
piling up gratitude day by day
in my little green journal.
(and capturing some of my blessings via my camera or iPhone)
#6660-#6682
10-5-15-
-oldest granddaughters tonsil/adenoid surgery went well
-figuring out a good walking route in our new neighborhood
-oldest grandson coming over to watch the Seahawks game with Papa
and being so sweet and thankful for the dinner I made him
10-6-15-
-sweet time in the Word
-great service from the heating/cooling repairman for free!
-youngest grandson okay after a trip to ER with breathing problems
10-7-15-
-waking up to some long overdue rain
-getting a few more things organized around the house
-spending the day with my youngest granddaughter
-hot pho soup and jasmine tea for dinner
10-8-15-
-my sweet friend from church coming over so I could teach her to make homemade bread and soup
-this beautiful autumn day
-God's presence so real and near during my prayer time
10-9-15-
-an encouraging phone call
-a wonderful date day after weeks of not having our regular day off together
-getting a new coffee maker on sale with an extra 20% off after our old coffee maker broke
10-10-15-
-our new dining room lights and the kitchen microwave/range hood in,
little by little things are getting done
-a super sweet video of our six year old granddaughter
-falling asleep early after not sleeping well the night before
10-11-15-
-such wonderful worship
-a beautiful new watercoloring by a friend from church
-God's amazing grace
gratefully yours,
Ahhhhhhhh. So true. Comparison is the archenemy of contentment, I believe.... And, alas, because we live with such distance between us and the human tendency to mask our "real" selves, comparisons are seldom based on reality...
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth, I didn't know there was a new Jan Karon book out! Thanks for the heads up! Is this by any chance an affiliate link? I just went over to my library site and ordered it. I'm number 64, with 15 copies ordered. That's one of my blessings--a wonderful library system in our county. Have a wonderful week, getting even more settled into your new home. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
DeleteIt's so easy to compare ourselves to other people and we don't really know their situation. My dear mother showed me many years ago that God's clearly tells us not to 'compare ourselves among ourselves'. It's a big lesson I need to relearn often! Gratitude makes the difference. Thanks for sharing your list of blessings again - it's always an inspiration.
ReplyDelete~Adrienne~
You have a very wise mama!
DeleteWonderful post. - A very positive way to live life by Thanking God for even the small day to day blessings.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ida!
DeleteComparison does kill gratitude. Thanks for the reminder. I think it's wonderful you're teaching someone to make bread and soup! And I hope there are fewer medical issues in the next list. Poor babies.
ReplyDeleteHow eaey it is to compare and to glide over others' hidden struggles or experiences. And to compare and whine. Speaking thanks and praise does put all in proper perspective but I forget so easily to do that! Thanksful for His loving care. Need to get my thankful journel out again! Have a good day.
ReplyDelete"Comparing robs us of having an attitude of gratitude." So true, Elizabeth! This comparison thing goes the other way too, often we sigh and say, "Well, it could be worse," comparing our situation to someones who is worse off - but really remembering that we've been given the gift of eternal life - and accepting the good and the bad in the light of that truth will bring us peace. I'm so glad you post your blessings like this, I need the reminder to be more intentional about journaling mine. Have a blessed day!
ReplyDelete