I usually write early in the mornings. It seems that if I want to get things done, it’s best to start early, before everyone else is up and the day snowballs out of control. So I get up, pray and meditate, read my bible and write. Some weeks, that’s the only way this blog gets written.

 

But today was different. It’s supposed to be my day off, which really means I don’t go out to work, I just work at home on my kids and grocery shop and whatever else has to be done. I wanted to go to a yoga class this morning and swim a few laps at our neighborhood pool. But I knew I had to get some groceries (even though I just went two days ago), stop at the library and pick up the books on hold, get some writing done and prepare for moving the kid’s rooms around this weekend. I also still have tons of coursework to get through for my board exam in October, the dog food needed to be ordered, and I needed to make a plan for meals for the weekend.  But what I really wanted to do was sit down, read a magazine, be still and think. That just didn’t seem very likely…

 

 

Recently it’s just been too much. Life has been too much. We started with a new homeschool teacher a few weeks ago and my kids haven’t been adjusting as well as I’d hope. Planned, really. So I’ve been spending every morning and evening working with them and their attitudes and behavior, making sure I’m supporting the teacher every chance I get, and updating my husband and adjusting our parenting accordingly. Not to mention praying constantly for them to get it together and for our little homeschool to get back on track. As an aside, have you ever noticed that when one thing is off kilter in your life (especially when it was running well before), it seems like your whole life is upended? Well, it’s been feeling that way for me.

Anyway, in addition to managing our homeschool transition, we’ve been asked to help facilitate a group series at church, I’m supposed to be starting a sex ed curriculum for the kids at church this fall (which is right around the corner!), the kids need extra-curricular activities set up for the fall, semi-annual reviews for my practice are due (and I have to give them), and I’m training my colleague to take over my position as the lead MD in our group. I’m tired. All I’ve wanted to think about is my solo retreat at the end of next week.

 

 

But I have to come back, so getting away isn’t really the answer. We love to live for vacations and recreation time, don’t we? But in the end, real life awaits. Don’t get me wrong, I’m just as guilty of looking forward to the next break as anyone and missing the good moments right in front of me. But two things happened that reminded me how to find joy and peace right now, instead of the worry and overwhelm I’ve been living.

First, we had an outdoor midweek church service at a park this week. People brought dinner and birthday cakes for people who had recent birthdays, and we sang and prayed for an hour. Being together outside helped, but as different men and women prayed and shared their needs, I could see how much good there is in my life. I might be busy and tired sometimes, but the things that are happening are gifts. They’re gifts that are growing me in some way, or they’re gifts that nurture me in another way.

 

 

 

Second, I picked up my grateful list again. We’ve been working with the kids on their thoughts, attitudes, choices, and character, and we’re finding more and more that the way to address the heart of it all comes from gratitude. “Gratitude is one of the keys to life!”, my husband keeps telling them over and over. Having trouble being respectful to your teacher? Write down all the things about her you’re grateful for. Woke up tired and short tempered? Write down a few things you see around you to be thankful for. Feeling good and happy about it being the weekend? Write down all the good things that are happening for you right now. Gratitude changes us! It’s so easy for me to slip back into a complaining, negative mindset – it’s my default position. Besides, I can’t very well teach them to do something that I won’t practice. So I’m working on myself through my grateful list again…

 

Life can be a challenge. Sometimes the pace is brutal and it seems like the work will never end. Yet there are rays of sunshine that peek through, even when it’s dark out. Practicing gratitude helps me remember that God has my work, plans, and rest all in mind. He shows me all the time in the little gifts – I just have to notice!

 

 

Do you have a gratitude practice? How do you practice gratitude and how does it help you? Please share in the comments below!