A quote shared recently by Girlfriendology caught my eye & resonated with my heart. I immediately shared it on Facebook & added my two cents of "Perhaps the reason I can be happy no matter where I live... I am abundantly blessed!"
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| "There shall be eternal summer in a grateful heart." ~ Celia Thaxter |
My childhood, as a "PK" - Preacher's Kid, resulted in a few more moves than are typical for "ordinary people". We moved from the state of my birth when I was about 1. We moved again when I was between kindergarten & 1st grade, in 8th grade, and the summer before my sophomore year in high school. My parents moved to a new state during my senior year of high school & allowed me to stay with a teacher and her husband to finish up that year and graduate there. I spent the following summer in a new state & then headed to another state to begin college. The summer after my grandmother's passing, I lived in yet another state with my grandfather to keep him company for those first few months. During my college years, I returned to 3 different homes in 3 different states. Since college I've lived a lot of years but, only in 2 different states.
As for now, I'm "stuckinindiana" with the LOML, 2 young adult children & a precious "glambaby" who will turn one in a matter of days. Being "stuck" here is perfectly fine with me. We have been blessed with a wonderful support community during the years here!
I could have mourned each move so much that I sacrificed the potential joys of my new surroundings. I thank God, and my earthly father quite a bit, for showing me how to look for the positive side of things - in all circumstances. I'm grateful for my upbringing where my parents & those around me modeled thanking God for the simple things. As a child & young adult, I remember my mom often saying "bloom where you're planted." Those proved to be good words for me.
As for now, I'm "stuckinindiana" with the LOML, 2 young adult children & a precious "glambaby" who will turn one in a matter of days. Being "stuck" here is perfectly fine with me. We have been blessed with a wonderful support community during the years here!
I could have mourned each move so much that I sacrificed the potential joys of my new surroundings. I thank God, and my earthly father quite a bit, for showing me how to look for the positive side of things - in all circumstances. I'm grateful for my upbringing where my parents & those around me modeled thanking God for the simple things. As a child & young adult, I remember my mom often saying "bloom where you're planted." Those proved to be good words for me.
No matter where we are, there are JOYS to be seen. I love counting mine in my ONE THOUSAND GIFTS blog posts. I just started my third year doing that & love going back to see the many blessings I recorded for those years. Cherishing good memories & living a life of gratitude for (even the tiny) blessings can warm the heart - even on the coldest & most desperate of days.
May your heart continually be bathed in the warmth of gratefulness!
"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today...
Hi! Dropping by from Ann's tonight and truly enjoyed your blog. I love how you did your gratitude blog post!! Great idea. Beautiful granddaughter and family you have. And the artists!!!! Very fun. Thanks you for the gift of you in this place.
ReplyDeleteRhonda, thanks so much for stopping by & for the encouraging words! It's a huge blessing to be a part of the One Thousand Gifts community. May you see God today as you open your eyes for special blessings in store for you :)
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