Thanking God for the Stuff I Hate (Week 4)

It is easy to express thanks for comfort and convenience. Thankfulness for ease is practically passive. Being grateful for the hard things in life, however, is a skill. It is a purposed, intentional act, and can be a difficult task. Yet "giving thanks for everything" is a command, and is a beautiful reflection of our understanding of the sovereignty of God.

(Continued from Thanking God for the Stuff I Hate: Week 3)

Counting My Blessings Through November, Week 4

Originally shared via Facebook, 2021

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#22 I am thankful for my aging body. It is a sweetness to know that I will not be trapped in my sinful state for all eternity, and every ache and pain whispers the hope of heaven.

“Aah!”

The pain tore through my lower back, setting my ankle on fire and triggering an instant migraine.

Sciatica. It’s not fun. But the Lord has seen fit to grant me the opportunity to experience this pain, and I must trust that his good and faithful hand would have withheld this brokenness if any other circumstance would have brought about his greatest glory and my greatest growth.

So the question is not, “why?” The questions are, “Do I trust that God is good? Do I trust that he is all powerful? Do I trust that he is sovereign? Do I trust that he is wise?“

If he was powerful without goodness, or sovereign without wisdom, or good without power God would be too small. But with every one of those attributes I can trust that his character permeates his allowance.

It still hurts, but as I learn to respond well, I am looking more like Jesus. Because of that, every pain is entirely worth it.

#23 I am thankful for inflation (including CA gas at nearly $5/gallon), for my default purchases and activities become mindful and prioritized.

I typically spend most of my mad money on home decor and art supplies. Simply by that peek into our finances you can safely guess that I love beauty and creativity.

As prices are going up, however, I am having to decide: if I get more (really nice) watercolor paper, I may have to switch to single-ply toilet paper. *gasp!*

Believe me, that will NEVER happen! As long as there are pennies to pinch my luxury of 2-ply will remain a priority! Because apparently I treasure comfort more than beauty or creativity.

But I may not have known that about myself were it not for the opportunity make these choices.

It is truly a gift to have such clarity in your heart’s priorities, and it is an opportunity I must not neglect.

What are your heart’s priorities? Does it include giving? Hospitality? Caring for others? Pursuing Health? Or do your priorities reveal a fear for the future, or a selfish mindset? How have you grown in this area over the last seasons?

#24 I am thankful for annoying people. ALL of them. Even the ones in my family. Even myself. Because I get to practice grace. A lot.

I figured that using a personal example for this one could lead to a few injured hearts because, depending on my current mood, EVERYONE has the opportunity to land in my “y’all are SO annoying” collection. 😉

But that’s the point: annoyance is hinged on little more than preference and personality.

If a believer in our lives is continually sinning, our calling is to be grieved by their lack of reverence towards God and call them to repentance. Likewise we are summoned to woo the unbeliever to the saving knowledge of Jesus, continually placing our hope in the Holy Spirit’s work of salvation.

For all those who must regularly interact with folks who are not in sin, yet continually crunch their ice, tap on your arm, talk with their mouth full, scrape their fingernails across upholstery, talk over your conversations, turn the topic towards themselves, retell the same stories over and over, forget to put their fork in the dishwasher, laugh in that weird way, or rarely fill the gas tank (all of which have bugged me at one time or another), we are called to LOVE them.

Between them and Jesus, if they are made aware that their habits are unwise or unkind, they should work hard to love others well out of the outpouring of their love for Jesus.

For us, however, who are driven to the brink of insanity via others’ insensitivity, there are opportunities to express our preferences in a humble manner, but if those opinions are ignored we must continue to showcase Christ through our love, our patience, continual joy, consistent peace, ready kindness, faithful goodness, and fixed self-control.

And Grace. So much Grace.

If love hopes all things, then we must hope that God will use those ‘thorn-in-the-flesh’ friends to build in us a clearer reflection of Jesus, while also hoping (until we are objectively proven wrong) that those annoying traits are not malicious.

If we are called to ‘stir one another up to love and good deeds’ and if we are ‘stirred up’ to annoyance, can we train our response to practice ‘stirring up’ others to Christlikeness?

Our pet peeves are simply our coddled pride, aching for an excuse to withhold love towards others. Ouch.

#25 I am thankful for middle-of-the-night interruptions, because I am reminded that my God never sleeps, and he is forever delighted to meet my every need.

“The only person who dares wake up a king at 3:00 AM for a glass of water is a child. We have that kind of access.” -Timothy Keller

Potty runs, sleepwalking children, nightmares, and the like, all seem to rob our sleep. But when we respond with grace those interruptions turn into opportunities for praise and thanks. The next time I am up at 3am, I hope I will run to Jesus. Because he is there, and he always welcomes me.

#26 I am thankful for traffic and silly drivers, for there are few other places where we are so vividly reminded of the depravity of man... and their need for a Savior.

I get it—it’s hard to remember and trust that God ordained silly, inconvenient people to be RIGHT THERE at that precise moment in time for His glory.

And though I’ve never had a problem with road rage, or even getting frustrated with silly drivers, I can absolutely relate to similar situations when I’ve responded poorly to my schedule or comfort being compromised in other contexts.

But here’s the takeaway: If my God is big enough to command time and existence then I can trust Him to be sovereign over little things… like a traffic jam.

#27 I am thankful for broken plans, for if I were to have my way at the cost of God's glory I would discover that I worshiped only myself.

If my absolute goal is the glory of God then I must rejoice when my plans are conformed to his, even when there is sadness in the breaking. Yet there is perfect joy amidst the pain when I know that through the hard things I am brought closer to my ultimate desire.

#28 I am thankful for discomfort, for I have found no better place in which to realize and repent of my pride, while simultaneously learning of the sufficiency of Christ.

#29 I am thankful for allergies, because with every adverse reaction I am reminded that I am naturally wired to respond to that which is bad for my body, even without knowing why.

The Holy Spirit is the sweetness of God residing in our very person. And one of His gifts is in illuminating the Word of God that we might understand that which is His will.

He pricks our heart to sorrow over hidden sin that we had not known of before, and brings about the joy of righteousness through obedience. Before we mentally grasp aspects of God’s character He is already moving in our heart to prepare a right response.

Just as our physical bodies are prepared to alert us to that which is harmful, our soul is tethered to a faithful plumb-line which measures every path against the Truth.

So as I sneeze, perhaps I can remember how the Spirit works to shape me more to the likeness of Christ through a better understanding of how to live rightly.

(Reprinted from the backlogs of Social Media. As Jesus leads me to pursue a career in writing I am called to serve my readers with faithfulness and excellence. I have been stewarded with a sweet gathering of email friends, and to serve them well means I have the opportunity to strengthen my blogging skills as well as my Social Media presence. In that I am pulling my favorite Instagram posts, spiffing them up a bit, and sharing them here. For those who are receiving this post via email and would like to join my darling Insta family as well, you are invited to visit me HERE.)

Thanking God for the Stuff I Hate (Week 3)

Being thankful for, in, and through the hard stuff is, well, hard. But when our focus is on the person and work of Jesus, gratitude for all he has purposed for our lives comes far more easily.

(Continued from Thanking God for the Stuff I Hate: Week 2)

Counting My Blessings Through November, Week 3

Originally shared via Facebook, 2021

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#15 I am thankful for my klutziness, for I have seen evidence of grace in many mundane accidents from which I have been rescued.

I have 10 fingers. And that’s a miracle. (Have you seen me in the kitchen?!)

I also have all my adult teeth, despite having had my two front teeth blown out during a game of steal the bacon.

My delicate eyebrows are still intact, even through the many years of hanging barbies and little green army men over the burn barrel to watch them melt.

Oh, there are so many big things that I have been physically saved from (fires, car accidents, medical emergencies, etc.), but on a day-to-day basis, the Lord is so gracious to allow me to see his protection over my petty klutziness.

Whether I am washing a knife at the kitchen sink, hanging a heavy mirror, or simply attempting to walk up the stairs, I daily realize that, were anything just a hair different in position, just a second different in timing, or if I were just a small bit stronger or weaker, I may have lost a finger, been electrocuted, or gotten a concussion.

Some people may not realize the danger from which they have been saved. Others might release a nervous laugh and say, “thank goodness!“ But as for me, it is a training of gratitude.

When the knife slips, but somehow catches mid-air, defying gravity and swings away from my finger, I give thanks for God’s sweet sovereignty of physical protection. I do the same when the screw I am drilling is just barely too short to reach the outlet on the other side of the wall, or when my sleeve miraculously snags on a banister, stopping my fall towards a basket of glasses.

Were it not for the realization that I am lacking in circumspect spacial awareness, I don’t think I would notice how many times I have narrowly avoided physical catastrophe. But because I know of my failings, I am all the more aware of Jesus’ protection. And, when he ordains my injury, I will praise him all the more, knowing that he has preserved me from small things in order to showcase his glory in that particular instance more than he could have done so through the myriad of other wounds.

Jesus made me a klutz to his glory. And I will thank him because he is good.

#16 I am thankful for my mourning friends, for by sharing in their grief Jesus comforts us both.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1:3-5‬ ‭(NIV‬‬)

#17 I am thankful for family who lives thousands of miles away from our home, for the sweetness of a visit is worth the effort of the travel

I get to see my sister soon, and we just touched down with the whole family. Y’all. Flying with three kids is no joke. Even with my sweet husband and I teaming up to corral them through the terminals and flights and the car rental place, it was a night. Also we’re getting to my sisters at 2:15 am. Yay! 🤦🏼‍♀️ But, OH! I am SO excited to see her!!! Put into an eternal perspective, shouldn’t we be that excited to see Jesus, and wouldn’t his presence make this journey worth all the pain??

#18 I am thankful to wait (ages) for the restroom, for even this passive service works in my heart to produce Christlikeness.

When ya gotta go, ya gotta go. But while you wait ya gotta glorify God. Whatever you do (even if you’re waiting for the restroom) do to the glory of God. Patience for others, kindness towards foolish people, intentional care for disrespectful folks… the times we interact with others, even in a passive manner, hold the beautiful potential to showcase Christ. Don’t miss out on that opportunity!

#19 I am thankful for differing opinions from that of my husband's, for it is a sweet exercise to fight to love well, rather than to fight to be right.

I was right and I knew it. And he was oh, so wrong. And I know him well enough that I could have easily used my words to tear him down, forcing a surrender, and force him to my decision.

But were I to have sacrificed my opportunity to love him well and respect his God-given responsibility to lead his family well on the alter of being “right,” no matter how right I was I would have been so very wrong.

There is a beauty in learning to express my heart and opinion to my husband in a gentle, supportive way, and there is richness in communicating opportunities for him to better obey clear directions from God.

But there is no place for my preferences to become my master, directing me to idolize my pride in being right over my opportunity to love.

There are clear mandates in Scripture and we must call our brothers and sister in Christ to obey those fully. But those gray areas hinged on our opinions? Nope.

Rarely are our differing perspectives rooted in eternal truth, rather than simple opinions, and we must take every opportunity to showcase the humility of Christ by gifting our opinions to our spouse (or others), as a gift of love.

#20 I am thankful for broken relationships. Not because I see fruit yet, but because I am sure that Jesus is faithful and that He has purposed good for me.

There is one particular person in my life that has brought about incalculable pain and years of grief, confusion, and heartache for myself, my family, and so many others. Sometimes I wish I just knew why. Sometimes I think there would be more peace in simply understanding.

But if I understood, I would still not have the peace that transcends the heart of Christ. In Jesus rests the peace that passes all understanding. So I must pursue His heart to find the peace I long for. I know this. I trust this. Though sometimes I still wish I knew why.

For as long as I do not understand I must simply trust.

I see that Jesus is using this pain to show me how to practice a heart of forgiveness while still yearning for my offender's repentance of and forsaking of their sin.

But I do not truly know why Jesus has allowed such brokenness in this relationship, and why He has not yet convicted their heart of the horrific sin, nor the grievous wounds inflicted on others as a direct result of their selfish living.

And yet, God is still good. He still faithful. Regardless of how I feel, the truth is that God has purposed His glory and my growth through this suffering.

Will I trust His hand? I must. To whom else would I go?

Oh, Lord, be my hope amidst the loss, my comfort amidst the grieving. Jesus, I trust that you are the perfect answer for every question of my heart. Though I continue to pray for restoration, I will rest in Your ordination, for I know Your purpose is far grander than my perception, and Your will holds more beauty than my way of thinking could ever comprehend.

#21 I am thankful for mourned missed opportunities. For even as I repent over my failure to obey, Jesus faithfully continues to work His will and my growth.

I had a perfect opportunity to share the gospel. But I was afraid. So I didn’t. I have mourned over that lost opportunity ever since.

I should have kept my mouth shut. But I didn’t. I assumed that my words would be better than silence. I was wrong. I still grieve over my lack of obedience there, too.

In each instance the Holy Spirit was working in my heart, convincing me of that which was right to do, but through fear and pride I ignored his promptings. I was thus guilty, and the guilt laid on my heart for many years. But upon confessing my guilt to Jesus I was absolved, and my heart was freed. I was then given opportunities to apologize to each of those people I had previously interacted with (which is a gift in itself), and, through expressing my sorrow, I was given an even more beautiful opportunity to reflect Christ to them.

How sweet it is to see Jesus use my failings to his glory! He allowed me to suffer consequences for my sin, yet orchestrated even my failings to showcase him well, perhaps even more clearly than otherwise possible.

So shall I continue to sin, that his grace may be more evident? Absolutely not! As Paul said, “Heaven forbid!“ Yet the sovereign power of our gracious Lord permeates even through disobedience to work his will and his ways. Hallelujah!

(Reprinted from the backlogs of Social Media. As Jesus leads me to pursue a career in writing I am called to serve my readers with faithfulness and excellence. I have been stewarded with a sweet gathering of email friends, and to serve them well means I have the opportunity to strengthen my blogging skills as well as my Social Media presence. In that I am pulling my favorite Instagram posts, spiffing them up a bit, and sharing them here. For those who are receiving this post via email and would like to join my darling Insta family as well, you are invited to visit me HERE.)

11 Tips for Navigating the Holidays Without Losing Your Chill

I love Thanksgiving and Christmas. I have so many sweet holiday memories and so many opportunities for joy, so I look forward to this season every year. Yet I also ache for the broken hearts that must endure the holidays with ripples of grief and hurt from a myriad of past trials and losses. This blend has planted a deeper appreciation for what I have, mingled with a desire to share that sweetness with others.

Whether you are diving into the holidays with great anticipation or aching dread, my hope and prayer is that these tips will allow for peace and joy to soak into every corner of your heart as you navigate this season.

1. Prioritize Prayer

Start each day with Jesus.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6-7

What an encouragement to have the first Person we talk to in the morning be the One who owns and directs every moment! When our hearts are full of concerns and plans and heavy thinking, bringing everything to Jesus helps us remember that we can trust Him to work everything to His glory and our good.

2. Set Realistic Expectations

Plan within your capabilities.

For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Luke 14:28

So often we create grandiose ideas, building up our expectations of how everything will happen, from the multi-course meal to the extensive decorations, to everyone’s conversations and attitudes. When we define our success and place our happiness in things we have no way of being sure of, however, we are bound to be disappointed. Instead, creating small, manageable goals and prepping them well will help avoid deflated dreams and bitterness.

3. Be Flexible

Accept that things may not go according to plan.

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9

Planning is wise and good and beautiful. It allows us to measure our moments and allocate our energy appropriately through the day. But we must remember that only the very best plan–God’s plan–will stand. And when we remember that His plan is a reflection of His character (good, perfect, and full of love for us), we can accept His redirection with joy and confidence.

4. Have a Backup Plan

Prepare for unexpected changes to reduce stress.

Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.' James 4:15

Just as we are to hold our hopes loosely, there is wisdom in being prepared to cover for the plans that end up breaking. For example, if you’re not sure you’ll be able to pull off the homemade garlic knots for dinner, a bag of rolls in the freezer can remove that stress, and making sure the car has a full tank of gas will eliminate that last minute stop before the candlelight service at church.

5. Limit Commitments

Be selective about engagements to avoid burnout.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1 

There are SO MANY good things to be a part of! Yet if we were to accept every holiday invitation, take on all the guests, do all the crafts, participate in all the ministries, etc. we would quickly run out of time and energy and enthusiasm. When we prayerfully sift through the good and commit only to the best, however, we can show up with excellence and grace.

6. Focus on Jesus

Keep Christ at the center of your celebrations.

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2

When our attention and purpose is Christ everything else will fade. Remembering that all our preparation is in celebration of Jesus, we can plan with joy. Remembering that our investments of time and energy are to worship him, we can work with reverence. And remembering that showing love to those around us is a reflection of the gospel, we can serve with hope.

7. Focus on Gratitude

Keep a running list of things you are thankful for.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Whether you keep a journal, decorate your bathroom mirror with sticky notes, or hang thanks tags on your Christmas tree, visual reminders of the endless blessings God has given us can realign our attention when we are feeling discouraged or unsatisfied.

8. Reevaluate Screen Time

Make tech intentional.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1

Unless our screen time is deliberate, it is easy for us to lose time, purpose, and perspective, and we often miss out on occasions to bless those around us. Tech can be wonderful for information, connection, and intentional rest, but when left without boundaries, can passively eat away at our opportunities and joy.

9. Cultivate Beauty

Create an environment that reflects your faith.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right… Philippians 4:8

Intentionally placing beautiful things in our home can help reset our hearts from chaos to comfort. This could include scooching the laundry to the arms of the couch to place a throw pillow in the middle, collecting a few sprigs of the backyard tree for a bouquet in a cute mug, playing some favorite tunes (as background music or a dance party), or settling down with a cup of tea.

10. Share Your Faith

Use this time to share the message of Jesus with those around you.

Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Mark 16:15

The Christian’s greatest mission on earth is to make disciples. When we are mission minded, our holiday preparations will be centered around the gospel, and we will be less likely to miss out on opportunities to showcase Christ. The turkey may burn, the tablecloth may be wrinkled, and Uncle Joe may have gotten stuck in the recliner, but if at the end of the day the good news is celebrated, the holiday is a success.

11. Close the Year with Hope

As the year ends, reflect on your spiritual growth and set goals for the coming year.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? Isaiah 43:19

As we put the china away and vacuum up pine needles, cultivating a heart of hope can help ring in the next season with great expectation. True hope is founded on Jesus and His perfect love for us, and as we center our hearts on who He is and what He’s done we can enter the New Year with assurance that all He has perfectly planned will be beautiful and good.