Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1Thessalonians 5:17, English Standard Version
I am in a dilemma at the moment. Things are happening around me that I don’t understand. It could be that I am just coming off of a 30-Day Blogging Challenge with the Rave Reviews Book Club, and I have become sensitive, or I am tired.
It is at times when I have gone beyond my energy supply and I am running on reserved strength that gratitude is not an easy path for me to walk. It means taking my anger, frustration, disappointment, annoyance, or whatever I might be feeling and taking a stroll down memory lane to look at some of the good things I have experienced, like the successful completion of the RRBC 30-Day Blogging Challenge. Or it might be just peering at my garden and noticing that Daniel and Joshua, my cherry trees, have blossomed since yesterday.
I cannot stop the things that bring upheaval into my life. Most of the time, such incidents catch me on my blindside. But I can choose how I react to them. The choice is always mine. I have learned that this is how I reinforce my vision. As one of my favorite mentors, Viktor Frankel, said in Man In Search Of Meaning, at the beginning of his book, “detachment is granted to the outsider, but he is too far removed to make any statements of real value. (Frankel was writing about his time in the concentration camp.) Only the man inside knows. His judgments may not be objective; his evaluations may be out of proportion. This is inevitable. But an attempt must be made to avoid any personal bias.”
Therefore, the strength within me gives me the willpower to detach myself from my emotions and see anything coming at me differently. Thus, as I beheld Daniel and Joshua, my sentiments slowly turned to a deep sense of thankfulness, and my heart was amazed again at God’s faithfulness to me. Truly, I am thankful.
Shalom shalom,
Pat Garcia
Hi, Pat!
Congratulations to you and all the participants in the 30 day blog challenge. You all deserved a nice rest after pouring out your thoughts and lives into your daily blogs. I know from experience it is not easy and consumes a good deal of time.
A long-ago friend and I taught a class on Viktor Frankel’s great book in lieu of taking the final exam in our Philosophy class in college. We had individually shared our thoughts and deep feelings about the book with the professor, and he set it up for us. No one else had been given that privilege, and we aced the class. Frankel’s enlightened attitude moved me to tears and has inspired me through many trying times.
Gratitude can change the flavor of any challenge we face. It lifts us out of sticky problems and sheds light on a higher path. When we know the Lord and his extravagant love, gratitude is the only logical response no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in. I know you know this all too well. I hope you know I am grateful for you.
Blessings!
Patty
Good Evening, Patty,
Thank you so much, and like you, I hope you know how grateful I am for you
I think that Viktor Frankel’s book, Man In Search Of Meaning should be required reading for every junior or senior in high school.
Yes, I understand your tears. I have had too and still do.
Have a lovely day.
Shalom shalom
Bravo, Pat, that’s quite an endeavor. BTW, Viktor Frankel’s writings guided me through many of life’s hurdles. He was an incredible man. Now it’s time to rest, my friend. 😊
Good Evening Gwen,
Thank you so much, my friend. Frankel’s writings are so deep. I so agree they are writings that guide us through life’s hurdles.
Have a lovely Sunday and take care.
Shalom shalom
Hearty congratulations to YOU and ALL who persevered through the month of March, one with an extra day!
Good Morning, Marian,
Thank you very much.
Have a lovely day.
Shalom shalom
😅😆😉😊
Good Morning, Shirley,
Thank you. I am smiling too. I must now rest.
Shalom shalom
You’ve inspired me today! Blessings!🤗
Good Morning, Linda,
Thank you. A 30-Day Challenge empties you. It is hard and demands much concentration. I didn’t want people to think that I move on after such a challenge with business as usual. Right now, I am still recuperating and battling with other things within me.
Have a lovely day.
Shalom shalom
Congratulations dear lady. As far as I’m concerned, all of you should have received the award!
Good Morning, JP,
Thank you. JP, all of us did receive a certificate for completing the challenge. I featured mine in my Gratitude Column because I wanted to share it with all of the people who supported me during the challenge. It is a decision I made and each of the participants can do the same.
Have a lovely day.
Shalom shalom
Hi, Pat! It was quite a ride. But we made it. Good for you and me and the others who made it too. Let’s pat ourselves on the back.
Good Morning, Joy,
Thank you. Yes, it was a good ride for all of us. Sometimes I limped but I made it in.
Shalom shalom