How Happy I am!

As I reached up to take the plates out of the cupboard yesterday afternoon, a sudden thought just skipped across my mind like a stone skips across water; one, two, three...plunk and then it sunk and rested at the bottom of my heart. I am so happy! I wonder if my classmates--especially those who achieve so much and talk so big-- are as happy as I am right now as I am?

Nothing amazingly wonderful (by most peoples' standards at least) had happed that day. I had woken up at 5:40 AM, started classes at 8:00am and finished at 4:00PM. Nothing amazing...but still so happy, and joyful and blessed!

There has been a little bubble of ever-present joy bubbling up in me of late. It began to bubble up soon after I began reading Nancy Leigh DeMoss's book Choosing Gratitude. I hadn't really planned on seriously reading the book. I had just picked it up on a whim and looked through the forward...then the intro...then the first chapter...!

I was riveted. I was astonished. Astonished to discover that I was not a grateful person! Granted my moments of thankfulness may have been more than some....but nothing like what it truly should be!!

As I have continued my journey through the book (now with purpose), I have been both convicted and encouraged, indicted and inspired. I would like to share some direct quotes from the book as well as some of my own insights within the next few weeks on this blog. You may find yourself wanting to know more, and I would encourage you to get this book (and no, Nancy is not paying me to advertise)! It is never too late nor too soon to begin the journey of gratitude. This isn't Pollyanna's "glad game" or a flighty pep talk. It's more than coping methods. It's a way to thrive in any and all seasons of life. Sounds too good to be true? Well, my friend you just wait and see. Meanwhile, think on this....

“Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and limps along the spiritual road”

~*~ John Henry Jowett .pg 23 of Choosing Gratitude