Struggling AND Gratitude

Entitled?  Ungrateful?  Whining?  Angry?  What would happen if I was Grateful for what I do have?  If I realized I'm a debtor and entitled to nothing?  I know I struggle with these things, and I'm guessing that others do to.

These past few weeks have been rough.  My dad's passing has taken a lot out of me.  I was already wiped out after the birth of our seventh baby, helping my wonderful hubby through his PhD, and moving.  I had been looking forward to our Christmas break (hubby had 2 weeks off!).  The day that my dad passed was the day that break was supposed to start.  Its been hard to keep going and do what needs to be done. I've been in a bit of a funk.

  It can be so easy to fall into the bad attitudes of thinking that others should be picking up my slack, others should be taking care of me, life is rough, poor me, I deserve a break....  What I find is that life goes on; there is work to do.  The baby still needs to be fed, changed and settled, toddlers trained, children taught and corrected.  My husband needs me too.  If I'm not running to the cross, running to Jesus, it all just gets to be too much and I grow weary (even on a good day!).  I start thinking of myself, my needs, my wants, what I "deserve" instead of being the living sacrifice I am called to be.  I begin to think too highly of myself and not put others first.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, aceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." Romans 12:1-3

This is the King James Version, and I like the phrase "your reasonable service."  Being a "living sacrifice" is not going above and beyond. It is not even special. It is just "your reasonable service."  We are bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  We are His.  We are His sons and daughters, and as such we must obey Him.  This is more than I can do on my own, but through the Holy Spirit working in me, it can be done!

This week I picked up a book that had been given to me about a year ago.  I'd started reading it when I received it but just didn't get very far into it.  Choosing Gratitude has been a great book so far.  While it is a fairly light and easy read, it is not lacking in biblical encouragement and conviction.  So far (and I'm only through chapter 3), I've been given quite a bit to think about, and it has helped pull me out of my "funk" a bit.  Just thought I'd share.  If you're in a funk too I'd encourage you to pick it up.  Even if you are not struggling, I think this is a great book and would bless just about anyone.

**I was not compensated in any way for this post.  It's just a book I have, found it a blessing, and thought I'd pass the blessing on.  If you do purchase the book through one of my links I may make a few cents though. :)