Turn a Frown Upside Down: Gratitude and Perspective

That title sounds like a kindergarten teaching unit and a theological discourse collided!

Be that as it may, this month I've been meditating on Philippians 2:4: "Do everything without complaining or arguing."

Note to self: verse selection = a test on the subject.  Just sayin'.

As spring fever and state testing dominate our work week (talk about worlds colliding), girlfriends, I need help with that not complaining part.  Woo-wee.

So, without further ado, I present perspective, gratitude style.

I'm thankful for:

--a job doing something I enjoy.

--tests (and students) that keep me humble, seeking new ideas, and challenged.

--spring weather while I finish my last few days of car-rider duty!  

--longer days that make evening errands more pleasant; coming out of pastor search meetings with streaks of sunset in the sky is far superior to driving home in deary darkness.

--rain when new chartreuse leaves glow against ebony tree trunks

--sunshine after rain

--girls that speak their minds (even if they need to adjust tones) and think about issues and ideas

--a small group at church that prays with faith and power and challenges me to ask God for great things

--a worship team who lets me join in

--friends who speak words of blessing and perspective

--a godly husband

--laundry, because it means we have clothing--more than we need

--dishes, because they mean we were well-fed

--grocery shopping and yes, even Walmart (okay, maybe not) because we are able to purchase what we need

--the library, which might be one of the most perfect wonderful of inventions ever.

--delphinium and peony plants that may, Lord willing, bloom and grow.

What's given you some perspective this week?

Be blessed, 

Ginger