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Day 15: Choosing Gratitude

“We have a choice, every day, to give him thanks. And with a heart of thanksgiving, we realize that no matter what we face, God doesn’t just work to change our situations and help us through our problems. He does more. He changes our hearts. His power, through hearts of gratitude and focused minds on Him, releases the grip our struggles have over us. We're strengthened by His peace, refueled by His joy.” - Debbie McDaniel
http://www.facebook.com/DebbieWebbMcDaniel

I read this statement a couple of weeks ago and was really touched by the words.  There are a lot of situations we encounter on a day to day basis where we really don’t feel we had a choice.  The truth is, we usually do have a choice.  It’s sometimes a very difficult choice or even hard to see another option; but it does tend to be there.  Choosing to #livewithagrateful heart is a choice.  It is choice that must be decided upon each day.  And there are some days where I have to decide it in each moment.  The girls have had colds.  I have to choose to be grateful when they’re miserable.  I have to choose to be patient and understanding when they’re not. 


This is really where the work comes in.  Consciously making the choice to be grateful.  Each and every day and in each moment.  It’s hard!  But nothing worthwhile is every easy.  Why should changing the attitude of my heart be easy?  God never promised an easy path.  In fact, the bible refers to this fact several times.  He brings one, why shouldn’t He bring the other?  He wants us to turn to Him.  He wants us to praise Him during the good and seek His comfort and guidance with our struggles.  And in the midst of it all, He wants us to continue giving Him thanks.  Thanks for the blessings; thanks for the struggles; and everything in between.  Give thanks. And #livewithagratefulheart #lent2017
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