#gratefulforlessons

[gratitudesanattitude]

March 2, 2014

So I wanted to sleep in this morning, desperately.  Instead I forced myself reluctantly out of bed so I could make the 8 a.m. Mass.  It’s not that I didn’t want to go to church, it is just I would have rather slept.  But I am grateful I forced myself out because today’s readings and homily were exactly what I needed to hear.  The first reading was Isaiah 49: 14-15, which basically reminds us all that God will never forget us, ever.  Even when we feel forgotten, He has not forgotten us.  And today’s Gospel, Matthew 6: 24-34, reminds us that we all need to cast aside our worry and TRUST GOD!  My favorite section from this passage is (but the entire thing is well-worth reading!):

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

After Mass, I spent some time reflecting on all the needless worry I do daily (hourly, by the second).  Trusting God isn’t as easy as it sounds mainly because my flesh works against me in thinking it knows better or has a better way.  So, I did a little searching for some more inspiration on casting aside worry and trusting God.  I found some great inspirational thoughts and wanted to share them with you.  They allowed for some great additional reflection on my Sunday and for that I am very greatful!

Worry is the warning light that shows I’ve stopped looking to God to meet my needs – Rick Warren

Worry increases pressure; prayer releases peace.

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.  – 1Peter 5:7

When you hear that still small voice inside of you?  That’s God saying, be reasonable, do it my way!

Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the staircase. - Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

[gratitudesanattitude]

January 22, 2014

Work is getting busy and with busy comes the drama.  Everyone gets a little cranky and starts to over focus on the little things and not the important things.  Today was such a classic example of cranky drama.  My day started with a 6:30 a.m. conference call to accommodate the early east-coast risers.  And then it was straight conference calls for the rest of the day.  I barely had 20 minutes to shower over my lunch “hour.”  But the real highlight was getting some troubling news about internal politics from a co-worker.  Sadly for him, by the time he called to talk about I had seriously had it with the day and he was on the receiving end of my frustrations.  And when I am frustrated, I like to yell.  Not particularly at anyone, but out loud making points.  (Most often just to myself.) My poor co-worker (who happens to also be my favorite co-worker and someone I call a dear friend) – I’m not sure he saw any of it coming but he took it in stride. And when I was done yelling and carrying on, he was still on the line (I probably would have hung up on myself) and actually asked what he could do to fix the situation – a situation that he too was getting thrown under the bus in.  He just has a great heart and I am super thankful he is my co-worker and dear friend.  I am not however very excited about my behavior so I am also thankful for the reflection and ability to see the error of my ways.  I am going to have to beg for his forgiveness (which because he is so awesome won't be a question).  This legislative session is going to be exhausting and I am going to need to get my emotions and temper under control if I am going to have any hope of having friends or a job by the end.  So today I appreciate my awesome co-worker and the opportunity for the lessons and reminders.