Sometimes I shock myself at my level of ungratefulness. I internally whine and moan and complain at the smallest, most ridiculous things.  When really, I am so incredibly blessed. I have a roof over my head. Is it my dream house? No. But it would be considered a mansion in many parts of the world. I have clothes to wear. Are they the latest styles and fashions? No. But they are not threadbare, and they are cute enough to get me by.  I have food to eat.  My goodness do we have food to eat. Our pantry is full and bursting at the seams practically.  My only worry about my next meal is what to choose to eat.  Too many people, near and far, worry if or when they will have another meal.

So in the face of that – who am I to complain?  Who am I to moan about how hard life is?  I feel like I act like such a spoiled brat sometimes. I have it soooooo good and my heart throws a tantrum when the little realities of life unfold?  Realities of missing shoes, missing keys, kids dawdling when I am in a rush – you know, those everyday moments that are just a part of life.  How dare I complain for an instant about how my kids are driving me batty, when I know far too many friends and loved ones that have constant heartaches about the children they have lost, or have never been able to have?  How dare I!

Thank God for His grace and His mercy. In moments like these, I realize all over again how much I need Jesus. In moments like these, I fall to my knees and ask for forgiveness. Forgiveness for turning my back on the outpouring of blessings. Forgiveness for forgetting all the miracles that God has done in my life.  I pour out thanksgiving – thanksgiving for second, 5^th, 77^th chances to start over. Thanksgiving for God’s mercy – for not giving me the consequences that I, a defiant and disobedient child deserve – but instead wrapping me in a hug, wrapping me in love, wrapping me in an eternal embrace, inviting me into the comfort of his lap; me his daughter, He my loving Father – confirming yet again His promise of unconditional love.

As I write this, my son is finally napping, after a long hard morning. He was the defiant and disobedient child, and I…..sadly I was the impatient, frustrated parent; full of loud harsh words and modeling all the wrong behaviors. I’m so thankful for God stopping me in my tracks and whispering in my ear that He loves me. That this season is about Jesus and nothing else.  I can’t wait for my son to wake up and for me to wrap him in love, wrap him in a warm embrace, and invite him into the comfort of my lap – he my son, me his mother. And to tell him yet again about God’s forgiveness and grace, and to confirm my promise of unconditional love to him, “forever and always, till the end of time”.  My cup runneth over, and my heart is back in its proper grateful place. Hopefully it will stay there awhile.

“You are my God, and I will confess, praise, and give thanks to You; You are my God, I will extol You.

O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.”

Psalm 118:28-29 (AMP)