I’m having a hard time with a few things in my life right now. As a result, I’m having difficulty focusing on the important things. My quiet times have been half-hearted, and I feel as if my prayers are bouncing off the ceiling. Of course I know they aren’t, but I’ve been feeling somewhat disconnected. When that happens, I know God hasn’t gone anywhere; the disconnect is on my end.
One thing that helps me refocus is to be more intentional about gratitude. Gratitude tends to crowd out doubt, fear, worry, and sadness. So once again, I’m counting gifts.
1146 – Finding gifts to purchase that benefit worthwhile organizations like Mercy House Kenya and Thousand Hills Coffee.
1147 – Our Christmas cards are really cute. 😉
1148 – A fun day of touring historic homes with my mom, my aunt Beckie, and two of my cousins Shannon and Jonnia. We had so much fun we might just make this Christmas Home Tour an annual tradition.
1149 – My uncle lives near enough to my dad to check on him, and the timing of my uncle’s job loss was exactly when Dad needs someone to stop by more often.
1150 – My grandmother is able to live with my aunt; my aunt is willing to have her live there; and they live around the corner from me.
1151 – Peppermint mocha coffee creamer.
1152 – A lunch date with Ken on Friday, and starting our Saturday with time to sit and talk.
1153 – Photographing another happy couple expecting their first child. Another chance to celebrate a new life.
1154 – Pretty wrapping paper for gifts.
1155 – Encouraging testimonies shared in church yesterday.
1156 – This printable shared by Ann at A Holy Experience.
May your eyes — and mine — be open to the many blessings that surround us this week, and every day.
Wife, mama, homeschooler, dog-wrangler. Introvert who finds joy in good books, sunshine, and authentic conversation. Fitness enthusiast and personal trainer. Often seen with a steaming mug of tea in hand.
Gratitude always helps me get my focus back. Your list sounds like you are finding your focus too. That is a very good thing!
“May your eyes — and mine — be open to the many blessings that surround us this week, and every day.”
Absolutely! Thanks for sharing your list:)
Prayers for you too!
I know the feeling of the disconnect you speak of and yes, gratitude. And peppermint mocha creamer is a must for the holidays, yes?
Visiting from Anns…
Joining you from Ann’s place. Thanks for sharing your beautiful list of gratitudes. Isn’t is wonderful to know that no matter what, God is always with us.
I love beautiful wrapping paper and having cute christmas cards also. There better than the present. 🙂
Blessings
Yes. Oh, how I needed this reminder. The temptation to worry and fret is so strong…but gratefulness is the cure for that. What lovely things you have to be thankful for today–and I am grateful for your perspective!!
“Gratitude tends to crowd out doubt, fear, worry, and sadness.” I find this to be so true & when I make my list ever week, I’m reminded of how much good is hidden inside that bad.
I love this post!
Just what I needed to hear tonight!
Thank you!
Oh how I can relate to this post! I too have been feeling the effects of my “disconnect” on my relationship with God. And I too have been more intentional about gratitude. It truly is amazing how much counting gifts can change your perspective, can realign your priorities. Thank you for giving words to difficult feelings that I know we all have at one time or another. May your day be filled with blessings. Smiles –
I need more gratitude, too. I’ve been living anxiously for a few days, and it’s wreaking havoc with *everything*.
Your right about it Jamie sometimes we feel disconnected not because God left us. It is because of our being busy with our daily life that we end up disconnected.
It is truly wondrous the power that gratitude can have over all areas of our lives, particularly re-connecting us to God.