Silver Linings

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Ever have one of those weeks? The kind that you want to toss away and pretend it never happened? I’ll spare you the details, but last week I began trying to figure out what went wrong with the math. Bad things happen in three’s. The only problem was that I was looking at multiples of threes!

I’m no stranger to difficulty. Years ago, I found a Bible verse that’s carried me through much darker times, Psalm 118:24:

“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Even before I learned that verse, I discovered the saying:

“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”

Both of these resonated with me from a young age, and no matter what happens, I’ve tried to apply them to my life.

By last Sunday, I had completely forgotten this outlook. Thankfully, the women of my church had a special plan in place for the Ladies’ Breakfast that morning. They gave each of us a journal… An Attitude of Gratitude Journal.

Our speaker, Vonda Skelton , reminded us that no matter what’s happening, we are blessed in so many ways. The challenge? Each day, for ninety days, write down five things we’re thankful for. The catch? Don’t repeat the same thing for thirty days.

Wow! This was just what I needed. Something to force me to focus on the good things, find the silver lining again.

Do you think you could do this? It’s really helped me.

What a blessing!

Comments

Valerie said…
Yes! I am so grateful for the blessings in my life. I'll thank God for the new day, a home, a wonderful husband and kids and grandkids, extended family, even such things as running water, electricity, warm clothes. I never run out of things to feel blessed about. I have so much, and don't want to take any of it for granted.
September 29, 2010 at 9:41 PM
Susan M. Boyer said…
I'm sorry to hear you've hit a rough patch. Seems like trouble does come in waves, doesn't it? I guess we've all been there. I know it does help to focus on all we have to be grateful for when we're floundering in all that's going wrong. I really like Vonda! I'm glad she was there when you needed her. :) Five things a day for ninety days? Can I use individual names of people? :)
September 29, 2010 at 9:47 PM
Vonda Skelton said…
Hi Barbara! Thank you for the mention! I'm glad the message challenged you. It continually challenges me.

It was such a joy to meet you and my other new friends. I can't wait until March--it'll be like a reunion!

Great post. You're good. Hey, have you ever thought about being a writer??? :-)
September 29, 2010 at 10:08 PM
Barbara V. Evers said…
Susan, As long as you don't repeat, you can be thankful for individual names, letters, words, whatever. Afterall, writers are thankful for those things, too.

And if you like Vonda, she'll be the speaker at our Ladies' Retreat in March if you want to go.
September 29, 2010 at 10:19 PM
Laura Styles said…
Our time on Sunday morning was very inspiring! I started my journal with anticipation and have been having a lot of satisfying moments as I think about all the ways God has blessed me. It is quite overwhelming! What has really been convicting is to see how the Lord has brought about good out of some things that I would normally view as "bad." I'm beginning to learn how to think of a "bad" situation as an opportunity to become much more prayerful and to cling to God all throughout the day. That doesn't seem to happen when everything goes "smoothly." I think I will give my boys their own gratitude journals so that we can continue this journey together!
September 30, 2010 at 8:26 AM
Barbara V. Evers said…
Vonda, Thanks for reminding of something I've known for a long time. Every now and then, we need a nudge, don't we?

Hmmm, a writer? Never thought of that before. You're so funny! ;)
September 30, 2010 at 9:18 AM
Henry said…
People keep telling me that God never gives us a burden to heavy for us to carry. There are times when I wish God had a bit less confidence in me...
October 6, 2010 at 1:31 PM
Barbara V. Evers said…
Henry, it's true. God never gives us more than we can handle, but he expects us to turn to him for the support we need. You can make it through this, I know.

And yes, if you wondered, I counted your situation in my multiples of 3's that week.
October 6, 2010 at 7:43 PM
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