A Heart Of Gratitude

I'm trying to get in a bunch a reading before our sweet baby makes her grand debut. And as much as I would like to just read mystery novels and young adult fiction, I'm trying to fit in a few "self-help" options too.

Since I'm a little burned out on baby advice books these days, I, currently reading a book about marriage. I've got to say that lately James's and my relationship has been pretty solid (it's amazing how retiring from an exhausting job will help). But I thought it wouldn't hurt for a tune up before this little person arrives to rock our world.

Right now I'm reading What's It Like To Be Married To Me? (And Other Dangerous Questions) by Linda Dillow.

The book has lots of very practical advice and examples. Today the author talked about the need to exercise gratitude in our hearts. She was talking about gratitude towards husbands, but the overarching message is to live in a way in which we are always thankful.

She included this great quote:

"I have come to believe that the prayer of praise is the highest form of communion with God, and one that always releases a great deal of power into our lives.  Praising Him is not something we do because we feel good; rather it is an act of obedience. Often the power of praise is done in sheer teeth-gritting willpower; yet when we persist in it, the power of God is released into us and into the situation."

- Merlin Carothers

I'm learning that regardless of the blessings in my life, my first response is usually one of complaint. My life can always be better, and I focus on what is missing and not going my way rather than on the abundance of riches I have.

I want to work on having a thankful heart full of praise. I want my husband to feel my gratitude towards him and the sacrifices he's made for us.
I want to set a good example for my little girl, and help her cultivate a heart of gratitude and satisfaction.

 I could be thankful if I was here. Unless it was cold, or I was bored, or hungry . . . is there wifi?

Linda also talks about the message of Psalms 92:

¹ It is good to praise the Lord
    and make music to your name, O Most High,
² proclaiming your love in the morning
    and your faithfulness at night,
³ to the music of the ten-stringed lyre
    and the melody of the harp.

⁴ For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord;
    I sing for joy at what your hands have done.
⁵ How great are your works, Lord,
    how profound your thoughts!
⁶ Senseless people do not know,
    fools do not understand,
⁷ that though the wicked spring up like grass
    and all evildoers flourish,
    they will be destroyed forever.

⁸ But you, Lord, are forever exalted.

⁹ For surely your enemies, Lord,
    surely your enemies will perish;
    all evildoers will be scattered.
¹⁰ You have exalted my horn^[b] like that of a wild ox;
    fine oils have been poured on me.
¹¹ My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries;
    my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes.

¹² The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
    they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
¹³ planted in the house of the Lord,
    they will flourish in the courts of our God.
¹⁴ They will still bear fruit in old age,
    they will stay fresh and green,
¹⁵ proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;
    he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”

I shared this with my sweet friend Lisa, who is at home in the Florida Keys for spring break. Right after she read it, she texted me a picture of her location that perfectly fit with Verse 12-13.

May I someday be as strong and sturdy in my pursuit of a thankful heart!