Changes

Change is hard, and I am taking it harder than I thought I would. I long for things to be as they were, or as I remember them... but fleeting 'grass is greener' thoughts don't help me where I am now. My wife has been telling me that she doesn't think we live very intentionally... and my defensive wall goes up. Am I failing at life? Am I failing as a husband? Why isn't my wife happy? She isn't content with our life? STOP! Thoughts and images flood my mind of how my life is so hard and how I am failing at everything when what I am really doing is just depressing myself. For every look I take at myself, I need 10 looks at Jesus. I am chosen. I am redeemed. I have a future hope. I have a million blessings around me and all I can think about is how hot it is outside and tired I am. My wife encouraged me tonight to think about those little blessings. I rummaged through the blogs she follows and found the book she has been talking about - One Thousand Gifts. My goal is to take my wife by the hand and walk this changing winding road together - not missing the blessings God places around us daily. I bought the book on Amazon and though I haven't started reading yet, I am ready to start my list...

1. My wonderful, encouraging, patient wife

2. Meador #3 on the way

3. Friends who love me and who truly care about my life and my family

4. My job - with all the ups and downs

5. My church - the body of Christ as I have never experienced it before

6. Music - I can't picture my life without it

7. Unending Grace - for the chiefest of sinners

8. Working Cars

9. My House (especially now with new windows in this heat)

10. Time outside every day with my job

I am just starting my list, and hope to gain a better focus and perspective on life through eyes of thankfulness and gratitude. Meador #3 will be here by Thanksgiving this year... I wonder how my life will be different by then?