Attitude of Gratitude
This bible verse really resonated with me. Giving thanks is God’s will for you; not something he just hopes for us but he wills for us. This week I am going to breakdown the first part of this verse and touch being joyful.The dictionary defines joy as the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires. Spiritual joy is defined a little differently. According to Theopedia joy is a state of mind and an orientation of the heart. It is a settled state of contentment, confidence and hope. It is something or someone that provides a source of happiness.
I think we can all agree, some days it is really hard to celebrate joy as defined by the dictionary. Every day is not full of good fortune for sure. Spiritual joy is something we can choose even when things are not so rosy.So this week spread joy by choosing to respond in a joyful way to the situation you encounter.
There are endless possibilities to spread a little joy and help turn someone’s day around and I promise you your heart will be filled with contentment, confidence and hope…..you will feel the full weight of joy in your heart by spreading joy to others.
Here are just a few ideas:
- Grab a gift card or a candy bar for the worker at the grocery store out collecting carts
- Offer to babysit for a friend who really could use some time to regroup
- Take dinner to a family who could really use a family meal together
- Write that thank you note to someone who has impacted your life
- Give a little extra grace to that other mom in the drop off lane
I will be the first to admit I struggle some days with being joyful in my present situation. I complain a lot more than I should about my man working out of town and having almost all the responsibility for the kids. Instead I could be joyful that his income allows me to hire someone to clean my house! When he walks in to a home cooked meal I could be joyful in knowing he loves my cooking and is always so grateful.
My kids are not the best at doing chores and some days I spend too much time focusing on what they are not doing. I will choose to be joyful they wake on their own, dress themselves and make their own lunches and try to overlook the socks shoved down in the couch cushions.
There is joy to be had in every day friends you just have to look sometimes. I challenge you over the next week when you want to be sour to choose to be joyful instead.
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Shelly – The Queen in Between
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Well, I'm going to love this! What a great idea!
I love the joy you find in each and every day girl! You are such an inspiration and I hope you have a beautiful Thursday!
We should join forces – I've been doing a Thankful Thursday every Thursday this year – November is definitely a time where everyone starts being really starts thinking of those thanfkul things 🙂
having gratitude is so importnat!
I put gas in a stranger's car today. Just sayin.
This is my cup of tea friend. So thankful to see another gratitude link up. Considering starting one in January as a take off my Thankful Friday posts.
Definitely will find me following along! Always fun to grab inspiration.
You go girl!
Sometimes it just stays in the back of my mind or I overthink an action instead of just doing a thoughtful deed. I love November because it sets the stage to be more intentional.
As I said on your post….super impressed you have done this weekly! I really think it would keep the focus all year long.
This is just another reminder for myself sweet friend. I fail at this daily but I know if I keep it on my mind I will do better and better. Plus…it takes so much less energy to see the joy! Have a super day.
I love this. Just last night the youth pastor was preaching to the kiddos about grace and giving grace. Sometimes this is so hard for us (at least me) and I just need to remember that sometimes. That was your example that really stuck out to me today. It's going to be a goal of mine this week 🙂
Molly I will tell you this has not come easy for me and when I was younger I did not give grace very easily…not to others but especially not to myself and because of that I kept my distance with God for far too long. Prayers for a great week of giving grace in all situations!
I love your post, Shelly! It feels so good to thank someone else or to bless them in some way, especially when it is unexpected. I really like the ideas you posted!
Thank you Elle! It really is true that you end up being the one blessed. Hope you are having a great week!