thankful in ink

I was organizing picture files on my laptop and, out of curiosity, clicked on the folder that said "Palm". Now I remember... David's old phone from 2008, his Palm Treo. I bet there are only pictures of airplanes on it.

I have never been so glad to be so wrong!

I literally *gasped* with surprise. And then smiled that knowing smile. The one you get when you know that someone put special care and thoughtfulness in picking out a gift just for you.

July 17, 2008. I remember this day. This very moment. (I had only forgotten that the moment was captured!)

We had taken the boys to the mall and let them ride the carousel. We went round and round, smiling and waving to daddy on the sidelines, "Hi Daddy!!!" being shouted from our lips with each and every rotation.

How prideful of me to assume that there would be many more rides like the one on this day, many more opportunities for photos, pretzel sticks, carseat buckling, bathtime and tickles.

Pastor preached Sunday from Ruth 4, how Naomi's friends had to tell her she was blessed when Obed was born to Ruth. I pray that if ever I am blind to the blessings around me, my friends would be brave enough to tell me!

I don't ever want to get to the point of ingratitude. I don't ever want to be so wrapped up in my grief and sorrow over the absence of Christian, that I neglect to SEE and savor the presence of the two blessings that still yawn "good morning, mommy" and kiss and hug their goodnights.

I know that life is hard. Jobs are lost, roofs leak, marriages struggle, friends disappoint. It is easy to be distracted by self-pity and a defeatist attitude. There have been times when I would look back on my day and realize that I wasted it. The whole stinkin' day. Wasted it with a downcast heart, worry, anger, or a gloomy attitude.

I am done with wasting away and wasting my day!

{It is time to say this out loud and be accountable.}

I resolve to be thankful. To not complain. To SEE the gifts in each day. If I count them up, I know I could easily reach one thousand!

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. -Psalm 48:1

Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: -Psalm 63:3-5

I. AM. THANKFUL.

{{{Today, I am specifically thankful for this picture! Eeeeeeeeeee!!! :-) }}}

I will record my thanks in a notebook every night and read it to remember every morning.

What about YOU? Will you keep track of your thanks and answered prayer?

It's never too late to start counting your blessings!