Saturday, July 26, 2008

thankful friday

Yes, I know my title says "Friday" and that it's Saturday, but I didn't get a chance to blog yesterday. That is not a big deal or anything since I blog all the time, but this is a very cathartic thing for me and I love it.

So my mom does this "thankful Friday" sort of email with the women in the small groups my parents lead, and I think it's a great idea. I was just emailing someone (you know who you are if you are reading this!) about how I really try to focus on praising and thanking God when I am in the midst of stress or difficult situations. That doesn't mean that it's always easy or something that I am good at all the time. But I find that when I focus on him, the stress I am experiencing at the moment dissipates and doesn't really matter. And when it all comes back up again, be it moments or even weeks later, I have to do the same process again. So glad God is patient!

Here are some things I am thankful for this Friday/Saturday:
God, who knows what we need.
Kevin's ability to make me laugh
Seth's love of trying new things
my family's constant and unwaivering support
IKEA meatballs that are now available
6 new placemats that cost a total of 67 cents
a car that we can drive
a bigger refrigerator
friends who understand

Of course my list could go on forever, but all of those things were at the forefront of my mind today as I spend several hours with a friend conversing about all sorts of things while trying to help her figure out what she actually needs for a baby due this winter. Sometimes I think we spend time focusing only on the really big things, which of course are incredibly important to be thankful for, but sometimes it's the really little things that I stop and thank God for. It's those little things that let me know that God is watching over me and knows me better than anyone else.

5 comments:

Stefanie Schocke said...

Helps put things in perspective when you're having a bad day- huh? My small group leader used to have us do that everyday, now we email acts of service everyday. Our goal is to serve others at least once a day, helps you get out of selfish thinking and on to others!

Karin said...

Hi Kristen,

Thanks for posting on my blog, didn't know anybody out there knew it was there. I just started it after reading others, and as an exercise to start to slow myself down and try to pay attention to life. I have been sneaking peaks at your blog but have been reading Stefanie's more frequently. Got hooked back up with you all during the Spring and following Ryan's journey. Anyway, have a great day, and thanks for posting.
Karin Haubold

Julie said...

Okay, so where did you get those placemats so cheap?

I am back in BP by the way. Let's plan to get together... I still don't have your number... call me! Unless you don't want to get together...then no need to call :)

2024 Journey said...

Glad you guys are enjoying the car. Its a blessing to us to be able to pass that along..IKEA meatballs are the best...lol we used to get them and have several meals from them..Have a great Weekend love reading your blog and hearing about things in Budapest/Diosd

jennifer said...

I like the idea of "thankful friday" it puts things in perspective.

I am thankful that we are in touch again!!!