As I laid in bed yesterday with a migraine I found myself getting discouraged because I couldn't apply what I had learned from the weekend at the Tribe Conference. I couldn't take action after being so energized to do so. But as I continued in the migraine state of fighting pain but not being able to fall asleep, I reminded myself of why I write. I write to encourage others to choose gratitude and find joy in the adventure and in the mundane.
And the migraine definitely falls into the latter. So as I laid there, I stated recounting the lessons I learned over the weekend. I started my mental, "Thank you, God" list. I quickly realized it was by His grace that the migraine didn't come the day before and I was able to soak up everything at the conference. And it was by His grace that I was able to be aware enough to watch Katherine until Spencer got home. So when life throws you a curve ball, whether for a day or for a season, choose gratitude. Choose to see the good, the gift, the grace. Choose to fight through the pain with recounting blessings. Time to take action will come, but in the midst of paralyzing pain just be still and say thank you. Gratitude always leads to joy, and the joy of the Lord is our strength. Morning is coming. New mercies are coming. Productivity isn't always checking things off a to-do list. It can be checking things off your gratitude list. Saying thank you and thinking about the good doesn't take the pain away but it releases you from guilt and shame and gives you strength to keep pressing on. It reminds you that morning is coming. It gives you hope. And friends, hope does not disappoint.
4 Comments
Mandy
9/1/2015 08:03:09 am
Praying for you to feel better. It is wonderful that you feel the gratitude. There is time to pursue the plans you have made since the conference. Maybe this is a message to take a moment to absorb and reflect? I know my daughter was missing me and was being difficult when I returned. Then her fish died and we needed each other for comfort and grace. Forced me to realize I needed to pay attention more carefully to what was in front of me. It's ok to take time to heal. Give yourself a minute. Be well!
Reply
10/6/2015 10:31:21 am
Thanks so much, Mandy! Really appreciate your words of comfort and grace. Blessings to you, friend!
Reply
9/30/2015 06:18:21 pm
Thanks for helping us see that there is always something to be thankful for! Sometimes God slows us down from other activities to get us to do something more important! Generally that important thing brings us to a place of gratitude towards God! He loves it when we give him praise and thanks! Get well soon but enjoy the moment for it is your live!
Reply
10/6/2015 10:30:39 am
Your words are so true, Debbie. Thanks for sharing!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Categories
All
Archives
January 2019
Sarah ConnatserSarah loves Jesus and her family and is passionate about addressing the urgent spiritual and physical needs around the world. She is the wife of Spencer and mama of Katherine and Claire, and they live in Nashville, TN. She runs a photography business with her husband and writes in order to offer encouragement and invite others to choose grace, joy, and gratitude in the adventure and the mundane. She loves traveling and reading; she will choose unsweet tea over sweet and bootcut jeans over skinny; and she is all sorts of awkward with small talk but thrives with deep conversations. |