I’ve been having a lot of trouble lately getting my mind right.  Seems like my walk with God is feeling a bit like walking over sharp stones in my bare feet.  Every step is painful.

 

Can’t blog when I feel like this. Plenty of subject matter to explore but everything I write seems to me like pure drivel. 

 

Has my mind taken a vacation and left me behind?  I desperately want to continue with my God-blogging but the will and the words are not there.

 

My Band of Brothers prayed a prayer of encouragement over me last night and I feel more like giving this post another go. 

 

       Get Prayer and Pay Attention to the Nudges

                                                                                 

Nudging me me to buck up and quit whining, it seems the Holy Spirit is telling me to take a look at the good things in my life, to be grateful for what I do have and not moan about what I don’t have.

 

Somehow it feels like more than a nudge.  More like a kick in the pants. But it is certainly getting my attention.

 

Write A Gratitude List

 

In my early years of recovery from addiction, I was encouraged (strongly encouraged) to write a gratitude list. I’d forgotten how good that can be for your general and mental heath.

 

If you think you have little to be grateful for, take an inventory of all the little things you have. Don’t take for granted certain abilities or privileges you have that others don’t.

                                  

 So, here’s my current list.  My prayer is that it may  encourage and give a sense of hope to those of you struggling with life’s circumstance. And that it will prompt you to consider what you have to be thankful for. 

 

First and foremost, Lord Jesus, I am so grateful for your grace and your mercy and your presence in my life.  

 

I am so thankful and grateful for:

 

My BOBs….this Band of Brothers that I meet with weekly are my connection to all that is good in life.  

 

My Health…At 80, I am so grateful to be in good health.

 

Mentoring..Being able to mentor folks as part of my church ministry is a real blessing.

 

Relationships…Thankful for my wife, my family and friends that love and support me, even during those times that I am unlovable.

 

Reading…my eyes may be getting a bit dimmer but reading is still one of my greatest pleasures.  No audio books for me yet.  Love the feel and smell of the printed page.

 

Blogging…so grateful to have found blogging during the pandemic.  It fulfilled a sense of purpose in me.

 

Creation…I will always marvel at the ocean, the mountains, the rain, the wind..all God’s creation.  A continuous feast of beauty.

 

My Sobriety…49 years of sobriety from alcoholism is one of the greatest gifts of God’s grace I’ve ever received.

 

Grace…so undeserved but grateful for the undying love of God

 

Rest…a time to kick back and renew.  A little thing?  I think not. 

 

Meaningful discussions…How grateful I am for friends who offer me the means for discussing problems that enter into my life.

 

Dog kisses…when my dog runs to greet me at the door with kisses, my day is brightened.

 

Wood…a pile of wood sitting on my front porch to heat the body and soul during the cold season.

 

So jot down the things that bring you joy and help get you through the day.  There is much information online of the general and mental health benefits of gratitude.

 

For more information on how thankfulness can help your health , click here to see the H.E.A.R.T. acronym.

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Let’s Do This!