Attitude of Gratitude - Day Six

Of all the people in my life, I never have as much fun as I do when I'm with my little brother.  

We are polar opposites in some ways...  He's a bleeding heart liberal, I'm a more conservative Independent.  

This can spell trouble for most families but not with ours.  We are both very outspoken in our beliefs and though I may not agree with everything he thinks, I do honor him and his opinion.  I mean, how crazy would this world be if we all agreed with each other?

He loves furiously, works hard, and is the epitome of life and love.  He shares his heart willingly and truly believes that love will win out in the end.  Jamie is probably one of the strongest people I know - overcoming odds that would make most people curl up in a ball and want to die...yet, he remains strong and steadfast in his beliefs.  Even though I may not agree with some of them, I appreciate that he is true to himself.

It's no coincidence that I chose today, Election Day, to honor my brother.  As a political junkie, I tend to overstate my opinion a lot.  Especially on Facebook and Twitter.  And, there are times when I want to throw the computer in the yard because of a comment my precious brother makes in regards to my opinion.

But that doesn't change my love for him.  In fact, I think it makes me love him just a little more each and every time.  He has not had an easy life.  He struggled all through his teenage years, fighting discrimination and being judged for who he was but he is an overcomer.  I learn so much from him every single day and I feel like I am the luckiest girl in the world to have such an amazing life friend in him.

He truly does rock my world.  I love you baby bro.

Attitude of Gratitude - Day Five

I can't begin to tell you all the wonderful things about my husband.  Jay & I have been married for 10 years and no, it hasn't always been rainbows and roses...but it has been full of love, mutual respect and compassion.

He does everything in his power to make me and the kids feel safe and secure, never letting us get to the point where we are filled with worry or grief.  He takes time for me, and for the kids - and we never have to question his love for us.

Jay is also the hardest worker I have ever met in my life...sometimes working 2 or 3 jobs when it was needed, and with NO complaint.  Sometimes those jobs would include odd jobs for neighbors, working in a steel plant in 100 degree weather, & working 12 hour days 7 days a week.  

This is not my first marriage.  In fact, I had never truly known a relationship that didn't involve yelling, screaming, and even a little kicking.  But not with Jay.  His heart is pure and in love with Jesus and that spills out into his life, and into our children's lives.  

His desire is to love us as Christ loves the church and some days I'm so humbled by that.  Some days I can't believe how incredibly lucky I am.

Attitude of Gratitude - Day Four

Today, I am thankful for Provision.

Just a year ago, my husbands business went under.  There was no saving it though we tried everything we could.  We suffered through months and months of zero pay, our bills were piling up and I was ashamed.  

I was ashamed because I felt like it was our fault, like it was a failure on our part - I spent many sleepless nights going over the books, trying to see where we'd messed up.  Our marriage was suffering and I honestly didn't know how much longer I could handle it.

In the end, the business did fail.  But, I now know that it wasn't anyone's fault - it was simply the economy.  

Through the whole debacle, I kept my faith in the One who Provides and a funny thing happened - He did!

Every single month, our bills would be paid.  Sure, there was some we had to 'let go' - our house was one of those things.  We just couldn't afford it anymore.  But God.

In His rich mercy and grace, He brought us through the hardest year of our married lives...he refreshed our spirits, kept His extravagant Love an ever presence within our hearts and minds and He provided in more ways than I could have ever imagined.

We may have lost our income for 6 months, and lost our home but we gained an even better job than before.  AND, He GAVE us a house for a VERY discounted rate.  In fact, this house is a much better house than we ever could have hoped or wished for.

Sure, things are still somewhat difficult - we live by a strict budget and I'm not able to go to Kohl's or Wal-Mart as much as I'd like but that's okay.  God has made us better budget'ers and has shown us very creative ways to make money that don't involve working our fingers to the nubs.

Friend, if you need provision - supernatural provision, I stand as proof that God WILL SUPPLY YOUR NEED.  Don't give up, don't lose faith - provision is there.

Attitude of Gratitude - Day Three

Attitude of Gratitude - Day Two

Attitude of Gratitude - Day One

Attitude of Gratitude

Last year, my sister in law Leslie used the month of November to cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude by posting one thing she was thankful for on her Facebook wall.  The response was extraordinary   Of course, she was already very thankful for many things in her life but this offered her a greater chance to recall those little things - those things that we don't necessarily think of every day.  

I want to do the same thing this year.  This year has been quite hard financially for our family but in the midst of it, I can see how God has provided.  He has never let us down.  Not ever.  

So, starting November 1, I hope you'll join me in cultivating a more grateful spirit.  Leave us a comment of what you are most thankful for, or like us on Facebook and share your story there.

Day One

Day Two

Day Three
Day Four
Day Five