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I’ll never forget a statement one of my friends made during a conversation a few years back. We were talking about the things about our lives we wish were different, things we could change if we had the chance. At one point in the conversation, my friend looked at me and asked, “Kristen, why is it so easy for me to point out what I don’t like about my life, but then it’s difficult for me to list the things I do like about my life?”
Read MoreThere are moments in your life that, when they happen, you know you’ll never forget them. I’ve got quite a long list of those moments in my own life, but there’s one in particular that will forever be a favorite. A few summers ago, as I was driving home from running errands, I couldn’t stop complaining. I wasn’t necessarily talking to myself out loud in my car (although I’ve done that before). But on the inside, my heart was listing off one complaint after the other.
Read MoreIn the spirit of this wonderful holiday, today’s devotion is going to be a little different. I know this year has been difficult for all of us in one way or another. And I realize that it can be difficult in the midst of tough circumstances to find things to be thankful for. But I have no doubt that if we take the time to really think hard and reflect back on this year, we can find the blessings hidden beneath the struggle.
Read MoreGratitude is all about perspective. Are we willing to widen our gaze to see what unexpected blessings came along this year? Or are we going to remain focused on the disappointment and unmet expectations? Are we willing to dig a little deeper to identify all that we can to thank the Lord for? Or are we going to hold onto our surface perspective, zoning in on what we wish didn’t happen this year?
Read MoreWhat are some things you’re grateful for in your life right now? Are you grateful for having a job that you enjoy? Are you grateful for your friendships? Are you grateful that the cold weather is finally here? (That’s me!) These are the things about our life that are easy to thank God for. But what about the parts of our lives that don’t foster gratitude so easily? What about when we feel like we’re stuck in a season of waiting, and we don’t know where God is leading us next? What about when we are dealing with the aftermath of rejection? Or what about when we’re feeling lonely?
Read MoreI pulled my car out of the driveway and drove down the main street in our neighborhood towards the highway. About the time I was halfway out of the neighborhood, I passed a garbage truck. Wednesday is trash day here, and I had already seen this garbage truck stop by our house earlier that day. My first thought as I saw the garbage man throwing someone’s trash into the back of the truck was, “Gosh, what an awful day to be a garbage man. It’s cold. It’s wet. It’s raining. I would not want to be doing his job right about now.”
Read MoreSomething I think we can all practice more of is gratitude. It’s easy to ask for things we want, talk about things we’re looking forward to, and even complain about what we wish was different about our lives. But being thankful is something we can all continue to work on.
Read MoreI shared a quote on my Instagram stories yesterday that said, “You are currently living at least one of the prayers you used to pray.” It was a statement that hit me like a ton of bricks because it is absolutely true for me, as I’m sure it is true for you.
Read MoreIt’s that time of year where talk of gratitude is everywhere. We are told to count our blessings, to think about all of the things we have to be thankful for. And while I 100% believe we all have things for which to give thanks, I also know that we’re all battling feelings of discontentment in at least one area of our lives.
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