March 26, 2012

It's In the Counting

What on Earth do I have to be thankful about? *Bending over to pick up yet another lone sock that has mysteriously appeared far from where any sock should be hanging out.*   


How am I ever going to write a whole stinking post on blessings?  *Picking up the husband's shoes for the umpteenth time and carrying them to the closet.*

I swear these people think I exist to be their personal maid.  *Picking up dirty clothes and making the bed.*

The bathroom looks like the bottom of a birdcage.  Newspaper everywhere.  Seriously, who does all their reading in the bathroom?  At least carry it back to the living room when you're done.  *Trying to find enough counter space to plug in the flat iron and lay out all things necessary to style the hair.*

How can you make that big of a mess frying two little eggs?  *Wiping down the stove, counter, toaster....and anything else within splatter range.*

The dishwasher is two stinking feet from the sink.  Why does everyone pile dishes in the sink?  How hard would it be to turn to the left and....oh! Looky!  A dishwasher!  *Loading everyone else's dishes into the dishwasher.*

On and on my complaints could go and sadly, they sometimes do.  But what a difference when I look for the gifts and overlook the annoyance.

211.  Those shoes and socks abandoned where they don't belong mean that we have protection for our feet as we journey through our days.


212.  The dirty clothes on the floor mean we are blessed with ample clothing.  Not just one set for work and one for "good," but enough for all kinds of weather and enough that we'd still have something to wear if we stopped washing clothes for a week or two.


213.  The newspaper means we have freedom of speech and the right to be informed.  As for flat irons and blow-dryers and gels and sprays....luxuries, all.


214.  The mess on the stove means there was food to be cooked.  No one woke up and faced the day hungry.


215.  The dishwasher means not having to wash everything by hand.  It means not having to lug buckets of water from a well and not having to heat it.


And the black mood is gone, replaced with the confession of an ungrateful heart and a realization of whom is served in the doing of these small, mundane things...and of the joy and blessings that are there if the eyes just open.


Dear God, When I am discouraged.  When I feel ungrateful and the enemy is scratching at the door....remind me to count.  In the counting, the looking for your hand in all things, lies the key.  In the thanksgiving lies the love, or does the thanksgiving lie within the love?  They are so closely tethered these two.  In giving thanks, I see how clearly you love and in your love, I give thanks.

16 comments:

Wendy S. said...

What beautiful ways to re-frame every day complaints, Stacy :)

Ellen aka Ellie said...

Lovely.

Rochelle@AFamilyofLooneys said...

Stacy I love this. Good for you, it is so hard to turn a complaint into something positive.

enthusiastically, dawn said...

I am right there with you Stacy! It's a choice...a beautiful one, friend. Not easy...but good. And in the acknowledging of the gifts...the choice- we spur one another on, in acknowledging the choice, the gifts and Him! The Giver of all. ;) Happy Monday!

Shari said...

I loved your post. I feel the same way sometimes. Thanks for putting things in perspective. If we look at things the right way, those complaints are really blessings in disguise.

Beth Zimmerman said...

Wow! I SEE your growth in Him in your writing and I am so proud of you! Beautiful reminder to look past the gripes and find grace! Love you!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I get it, I like how you can be thankful in those moments.

Kerri said...

i love how you took the daily grind and spun it in to a daily grin! Smiling with you and thanking God for all the blessings!

quilly said...

What a lovely reminder! This is something I try to practice, but like you, I sometimes complain -- especially over doing the dishes. That's the one job that seems truly unending.

Stacy said...

Wendy...thanks! How is the move coming along?

Ellen...Thank you.

Rochelle...It is hard and I admit that some days I fail. Just ask my family. No, wait, don't do that! LOL

Dawn...It is a choice. We like to give ourselves the excuse that it's out of our hands, but it isn't. As they say, the buck stops here. It is up to me.

Shari...Thank you for the kind words and for visiting me! I will return the favor.

Beth...That means so much, though it's honestly more of a getting back to where I used to be and some growth as well. When we were so badly burned by a church I shut myself away to avoid more pain. I didn't want to ever go through that again. Anyway, I should email you and tell you a few things one of these days...now that you're a woman of leisure and have time to read. LOL

Debby...It is a blessing.

Keri...Welcome and thank you! All smiles are appreciated. :)

Quilly...I hear you. It seems we all have our triggers and the devil knows just how to use them to get under our skin!

Unknown said...

I actually feel convicted because I could've written the beginning of your post. But, reading further, I saw what a grateful heart you have in spite of it all. I am not there (yet). I take the kids leaving their clothes on the floor and making a mess all over the kitchen as a way of not respecting all that God has given us. The kids will leave things on the floor like their headphones, only for the puppy to chew it up and then for them to ask for another pair. Thank you for the reality check. I hope that I will walk in your footsteps!

Stacy said...

Simone...I think there is the side to things you mention. We are supposed to be good stewards of all God gives us (even headphones) and I do have days when I am more frustrated than I'd like to admit. The trick (and believe me...I'm not there yet, either) is to find balance and not get so focused on the negative that we lose sight of the good.

We'll just keep on keepin' on together. :)

Chatty Crone said...

Okay I get in a grateful slump too sometimes - then I just think of things like - I have one more day without cancer - I have my eyesight - I have a friend like you. sandie

Stacy said...

What a nice thing to say, Sandie. I am very glad you are cancer free and pray you continue to be!!

Sarah said...

Messy stoves = filled bellies. Thanks for the turned upside right day.

Splashing around in God's goodness today ... Had to stop by and wade in this glorious place. Hope you don't mind if I stay a bit and let joy soak deep down.

Splashin'
Sarah

http://justsarahdawn.blogspot.com/

Michele-Lyn said...

I know those mumblimgs too well... and I too am learning how to find the gifts in the everyday mess and mundane. You did an amazing job of it :)

Blessings to you...

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