A Million Bucks for Your Thoughts

I thought I was going to lose my mind today. We’d just got back from a trip, and suitcases and dirty clothes were strewn about. My publishing company needed a project from me ASAP. My grandma needed me to go to the grocery store for her, and I had a board meeting of all things. Oh, and did I mention my two-year-old whom I’ve nicknamed Tornado?

There were a few many times I wanted to scream. “Just give me five minutes, people, won’t you?!” But in the midst of my frenzied thoughts I remembered a few things.

 We’d just had a nice weekend trip with our family.

1. I get to work with publishing people . . . writing real books.
2. My grandma is still alive. I can see her smile. I can hear her prayers for me. (Yes, sometimes I place my ear against her bedroom door in the morning when she prays.)
3. I am blessed to be part of a non-profit organization that is serving the poorest of poor in our community.
4. Finally, after years of longing for a child, God blessed us with a little girl.

Instead of screaming, I prayed. Lord, help me. Give me strength and peace. I surrender my day to you. 

Nothing changed, not really. But inside everything changed.

So, do you want to make your day miserable? Letting troubled thoughts like these infiltrate your mind are surefire ways to beat yourself down . . . and slow today’s productivity . . . and make your life seem harder compared to everyone else’s.

1. Open your eyes in the morning and think of all you didn’t accomplish or complete yesterday.
2. Jump to conclusions and feel unappreciated when your husband asks, “So do you have any plans today?” As if you didn’t have a huge to-do list every day.
3. Push aside your Bible reading and jump into sorting that pile of laundry that taunts you from overflowing baskets.
4. Remember what it used to feel like to wear your skinny, skinny jeans.
5. Compare your kids to the star athletes and brainiacs your neighbors have.
6. Compare your house, office, or yard to the awesome pictures posted on Pinterest.
7. Walk the mall and point out all the things you wish you had money to buy.

(Don’t you feel depressed just reading that list?)

I’m guilty of replaying these types of messages in my mind and making my day truly miserable. Let me tell you: This is not the way to live life! You should be content with what God has given you.

Instead, here are some ways to make your day awesome!

1. Thank God for whatever your day holds and ask for strength to get through your to-do list.
2. Give your husband a hug and see if he has something special that you can help him with.
3. Take time to read your Bible and ask the Creator of the universe to guide your day.
4. Appreciate your health, and pray and ask God to help you in all areas you are weak.
5. Hug your kids and tell them what you appreciate most about who God made them to be.
6. Relax in your favorite part of your house for ten minutes and thank God for what He’s provided. Or pull a chair outside and thank God for the beauty of nature.
7. Go through your closet and pull out clothes you haven’t worn in a while and take them to Goodwill. You’ll feel better knowing you’re blessing someone else through your donations.

I don’t know about you, but my day can go from feeling overwhelmed and cheap to feeling like I’m the luckiest girl in the world. It’s amazing how a simple change of thoughts can make all the difference.

By Tricia Goyer — It’s Real Life

http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com/