Glass Cleaning Gratitude

Daily Gratitude Year 5- Day 125: Today, I am grateful for glass cleaning gratitude.

Gratitude doesn’t change the scenery. It merely washes clean the glass you look through so you can clearly see the colors. - Richelle E. Goodrich

This quote caught my eye today. We can let gratitude be our glass cleaner so we can see all the colors more clearly. 

A long time ago, I took in the truth that so much of life is what we make it and how we take it. We create our own reality by our decisions in how to respond to the good, the bad ... and the ugly, as the old movie title framed the thought. Choosing gratitude cleans the glass. 

Life if full of plot twists and curve balls. The unexpected can be game changing. How we respond to those events refines us and defines us. We are beloved children of the Living God. We are living in an imperfect world where sin and evil exist. If we choose to live, we will encounter some trials. We will grow from every one of them. Our lessons make us stronger. 

To be grateful in the tough stuff isn't human nature. Good thing we have access to his Spirit to direct our thoughts and our paths when things are rough. This thought keeps recurring.

"What if the toughest thing we every faced was the first hard thing to ever happen to us?" 

Our God allows some things. Only he knows the big picture. Still, every time we are have a hard spot and come through it - we are stronger than we were before. 

Jesus modeled some of this. The loss of John the Baptist was tough. It was his cousin and his friend. They were in the "my birth is a miracle" club. 

Jesus experienced the death of Lazarus before he raised him. I have wonder if raising him was the reason he wept, as he snatched heaven from his friend. to return him to life on earth, knowing he would have been with him soon. 

He was betrayed by friends. Judas... and then by Peter... three times. 

People used him for his power, his healing, and his calming presence. Then they betrayed him. 

Still, he chose love, gratitude and sacrifice. He chose the right thing over the easy one. He proved strong and true through the temptations that most humans fail... food, power and use of authority. Just read about his temptation in the desert. He has been there. 

He longs to be our solid rock, our strength and our defender. 

Much of the world claims "survivorship" to one thing or another.  It is not surprising. We've all got troubles. All of us. To reach down deep and choose to survive is the first step, but it can't stop there. We must learn to thrive... to fully  live... to embrace the space and the place we are granted. His grace strengthens us for the journey. His presence is our calm in the storm.  

I wasn't sure what verse to use, so I prayed, "Lord, do you have any ideas?" I am not kidding you. I opened my daily verse from Biblegateway to this verse:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  -Philippians 4:6-7 

Perfect right? His presence is real. He hears our prayers. 

Thank you lord for the perfect verse to fill my heart with gratitude and wash my windows to all the color you have for me to see. 

Today, I am grateful for glass cleaning gratitude.