1 Thessalonians 5:18

I am home from beautiful Florida! It was so nice to get away. I'll post about that soon. But for today, we're going to talk about thankfulness.

I have struggled with thankfulness lately. I was sitting on my bed last night, realizing that I was not getting anywhere with the attitude I currently had. I could only see the negatives in my little life. Naturally when you look for the negatives in life, you will find them. I just returned from vacation, and I should have been grateful that I got to get away. Instead, I was angry. What good was that doing me?

The whole point of vacation is to relax, to get away from your everyday life, and enjoy living. I thouroughly enjoyed my extended vacation (thanks Isaac!). I planned on coming home refreshed and renewed, and I found myself frustrated. Frustrated that I had a panic attack on the airplane. Frustrated with my family, who excels at messiness and pushing my buttons! Frustrated that I am on a different track than many of my friends. Frustrated that I'm not in college yet. As I stomped around, cleaning up and unpacking and readjusting to being home, I lost it. I huffed and sighed and basically threw an eighteen year old fit (who, me?!).

As I'm sitting on my bed, it hit me. You are wasting all this time and energy on frustration! What is wrong with you? Look, lady, something's got to give.

I repented of my attitude, my frustration, my fit throwing, and my ungratefulness. With new resolve, I want to be grateful. With God's help, I can chose to be cheerful. I remembered something a sweet friend of mine is doing on her blog, and I felt God urging me to join.

You see, this lovely friend of mine named Erin has a blog called Sweetness Itself. A few weeks ago, she wrote a post caled Thankful Sweetness. Every week, she writes 4-8 things she is thankful for. You just take a moment and remember the simple blessings in your life. Erin pointed out that us Christian sisters need accountability, and suggested that we share them on Twitter and Instagram.

Here's my list!

I am thankful for...

~ vacation
~ nature walks
~ low maintenance hair
~ coffee
~ grocery shopping with my daddy
~ the ability to read and write
~ God's perfect timing
~ hugs
~ friendships, in every shape and form

Friends, taking the time to list what I'm thankful for has made such a difference in my life. Whether it is the material things or the big things that God has done in your life lately, I encourage you to to take a second and list what you are thankful for. You'll be amazed.

I leave you with this:

"Be thankful in all circumstances." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Xo, Bethany