Wow....can you enter into this again with no explanation of your absence? Because there really isn't one.
I just know that when I woke up this morning and started to have my quiet time, I was struck with the need to pour out my thoughts, and honestly....this is quicker than writing.
I started a book yesterday called One Thousand Gifts. I made it through a chapter and a half...and while I wanted to keep on reading, I felt like I had to stop. To really absorb what I had just taken in. One paragragh, made right at the beginning...keeps ringing in my ears. "Ultimately, in his essence, Satan is an ingrate. Satan's sin becomes the first sin of humanity: the sin of ingratitude. Adam and Eve are, simply, painfully, ungrateful for what God gave them." The author, Ann Voscamp, then goes on to share her story...a heartbreaking one at that.
I woke up this morning....with a full agenda. My plans. Then I got a call from the school...that "in the best interest of your child, school will be delayed two hours" kind of call. I immediately began complaining. What do you mean school is delayed...I have plans today! In the middle of my whining, God brought the writings of Ann Voscamp to my mind...except He took the liberty of changing the names to expose the guilty. "Ellen...you are simply, painfully ungrateful for what God gave you." Ouch. He could have stopped there. "Your issues with food, your issues with insecurity, your issues with comparing yourself to others....an ungrateful heart."
So...right now, I will choose to be grateful...
...for the noises of my children, because it means they are full of life
...for the interruptions in my plans, because they really weren't that important in the big scheme of life
...for the reminder that I am not in control, because I really don't want to be
...for the chance to sit and sip my coffee, because that wasn't in "my plans"
...for an extra chance to encourage my son that he CAN do ISTEP today, because I would have missed it.
...that I am forgiven, because I really need it.
...that I could hear God speaking to me today, however painful, because it means He is working.
Was shocked to see a new post pop up...but so glad that you shared. I sat in tears reading your entry. God not only is working in you today...He has you working for Him by sharing with others. Blessings to you on this unexpected day. :)
ReplyDeleteumm....we got that phone call too - God brought the same phrase to my mind! is this the beginning of your list? mine grows by the hour:)
ReplyDeleteOh Ellen.... I needed to hear this today. Because I have had an ungrateful heart today too. Thank you for sharing this :) I love how you write... because it's [almost] just like sitting in your blue chairs, sipping out of matching blue mugs, and hearing thoughts from your heart.
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