[This is a guest post on Alex Blackwell's blog The BridgeMaker.]
This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. –Psalm 118:24
Often in church our minister will speak the first sentence of this verse. The congregation responds with the second. It’s an automatic response, intoned in unison, without audible enthusiasm or intention. Blah blah blah.
Whatever.
It’s raining outside. My dog is getting old. My spouse doesn’t understand me. I have a stack of bills on my desk. I have too much to do and not enough time. The kids are driving me crazy. I’m worried about the stock market. I feel despair about our political climate. And our environmental climate. The birds don’t visit my birdfeeders in the garden. A friend isn’t returning my calls. I haven’t had a vacation in ages. Can’t afford one anyway. Dad’s mind is slipping.
What is there to rejoice about?
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I loved reading this post of yours on The Bridge Maker. It's so incredibly powerful!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Aileen. I so appreciated your comment there.
DeleteThanks Galen Pearl, one of my favourite of yours! Your words touch many lives and make wonders, you know how to explain things hard to grasp with such simplicity.
ReplyDeleteStay blessed always.
Marie, Many humble thanks for your very kind words. I will indeed stay blessed because we are all blessed always.
DeleteThanks for the link over to that site Galen, that was an awesome read!
ReplyDeletedarlin, Thanks for taking the time from your busy schedule to stop by and say hi. So pleased you liked the post. Alex's blog is an awesome site.
DeleteI love this post. It was very uplifting. I know that I generally choose to be Happy at least 90% of the time. I do feel very blessed by a loving Heavenly Father. I love my Savior and take joy in learning of him and I have trust and faith in him. I know there is a purpose and plan to my life. Thanks for the reminder of taking time to recognize our blessings. This was a lovely post.
ReplyDeleteLeAnn, You have the key. You choose to be happy. I can hear the faith and joy in your words.
DeleteGalen,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing your wisdom and wonderful way of telling a story with the readers of The BridgeMaker.
With sincere appreciation,
Alex
Alex, You are so kind and gracious. It is I who thank you for the opportunity to be part of your excellent and inspiring blog. (I see now that BridgeMaker is one word--I'll fix that!)
DeleteWhat a great post, Galen! I always appreciate your candor. Would Jesus weep over our lack of gratitude? I wonder about that too.
ReplyDeleteAlida, Thanks for your kind words.
DeleteA really good post Galen.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alida, Would Jesus weep ove rour gratitude...that seems to be my thought lately....STOP RHONDA be still and know that HE IS GOD...rest in HIM....
ReplyDeleteRhonda, Sometimes I use the same technique. I tell myself to STOP. It breaks me out of that hamster wheel loop I get stuck in sometimes.
DeleteI am glad I am here. I am printing those ten steps for my wall - real wall at home :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my blog. I look forward to being in touch, "Galen".
With love, Vidya
Vidya, I'm glad you're here, too! I look forward to getting to know you better. Thanks so much.
DeleteWhat a blessing to think that way. I do believe this will be one of my favorite posts. We all need to rejoice in each new day.
ReplyDeleteBonnie, Thank you! I'm glad you liked it.
DeleteI'm chuckling here, because all those statements and like a million more are why at most functions if possible, I so enjoy sitting at the children's table/ or outside too! I'll have to check out his blog, thanks for posting it!
ReplyDeleteKaren, I know. We all do it, don't we? And yes, I know you will like Alex's blog.
DeleteBe glad in it. So wise.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carrie!
DeleteAnother good round of wise words...
ReplyDeleteI always think of Lent as a time to begin something new and from having this old, old habit, I also feel in touch with the historic folks in my family...how to be happy and glad with mindfulness to develop a pattern change and be glad and happy like daffodils look in the early spring...splash of colour and energy.
You just say it so well - Thank you
Patricia, Interesting link to Lent. I had not thought of that. Thanks.
DeleteHi Galen....as usual your post hits the spot!! I have kept a gratitude journal for years now....and when I grumble about something I don't have...I simply go to my journal and can find hundreds of things that I DO HAVE! Makes me kick up my heels ....I'll tell you that. (O:
ReplyDeletexo
Jo
Jo, That's great. I started a 1000 gifts list. I'm not so regular at adding to it, but I just hit 500. That made me feel blessed indeed.
DeleteHello my friend. I am sorry I have not been around for a little while. I have once again embarked on a new venture. I will write about it in the future. What a crazy life. In any event, I just wanted to say hello. I am still alive and well, living in St. Augustine.
ReplyDeleteJJ, Always a delight to hear from you. What on earth are you up to now?! You already do more than any ten people I know. So glad to hear you're doing well. Thanks for stopping by to say hi.
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