A shift of perspective...

Have you ever seen someone that appears to have the perfect life? You look at their life from the outside and it seems as though their marriage is relatively conflict free, they are doing well financially, and their children are all serving God and prospering in life. Meanwhile, looking at your own life from the inside, the problems you have feel overwhelming. You may even think to yourself, it sure would be nice to have their life. The problem is that you are seeing their life and your own life from two different perspectives-theirs from outward appearances and yours from the middle of the mess. Sometimes we need to shift our perspective and look at our own life from a different vantage point. When we look at our life from the middle of the mess we can become hyper focused on our problems and the things that we wish were different. Because we are so focused on the negative, we can become blind to the blessings all around us. It's possible that while we're wishing away our life longing for someone else's life, someone is wishing away their life, longing for ours. Contentment is found when we shift our focus to the blessings found in the life we have. Even in the middle of our mess, in the middle of our difficulties, the goodness of God can be found. We just have to choose to shift our perspective in order to see see it.

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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 journal.

(and capturing some of my blessings via my camera or iPhone)

#11,039-#11,060

7-23-18-

-the good feeling that comes with getting today's to-do list all done

-a text from my guy-"I'll take you out to dinner tonight"

-a beautiful evening walk

7-24-18-

-listening to last Sunday's message-so good!

-talking to my sister

-air conditioning in our house during this heat wave

7-25-18-

-another beautiful summer day

-lunch by the river with my friend who's visiting from Guatemala 

-the gorgeous moon tonight

7-26-18-

-a book loaned to me at just the right time

-my youngest daughter and her husband getting the keys to their new house

-a breakthrough in my own heart during prayer and worship

7-27-18-

-rainbows in the water as I watered my plants

-a bald eagle soaring overhead

-a fun day off with my guy

-a safe delivery for a special mama and baby after a bit of a scare

7-28-18-

-a sweet time of worship and prayer while driving

-helping my girl strip the old kitchen wallpaper in her new house

-the perfect pantry jars for under $25 for a bit of pantry reorganization

7-29-18-

-such a good word from the Word!

-lunch after church with my sister and brother in law

-peace that passes understanding

still following,