If Only I Had……………………

 

As I sit here tonight, listening to the rain pouring down, forming rivers along the driveway and sending waterfalls cascading from the rooftops, I read a phrase on my computer screen that stops me in my tracks.

“I could be happy, if only I had………..”

What a slap in the face!

For the past couple of weeks, I am sad to say that I have not been the most grateful person out there. Me, who continually harps on the importance of gratitude in one’s life to anyone who will listen, sitting here with the realisation that I am guilty of harbouring an ungrateful spirit.

I have been living with an attitude of discontent for so many weeks that is has almost become the norm. And that is NOT okay.

The first thing that came to my mind when I read the phrase tonight, was TIME. If only I had more time. If only I didn’t have to spend so much time working outside the home. If only I had more time. If only I didn’t have to spend so much time on the paperwork. If only I didn’t have so many commitments that kept me from what I want to do. If only I had more time.

Now, the things on my to-do list are not sinful. They are not wrong. They are good things. And some of them are the best things. Things like focusing on my relationship with the Lord through intense times of study and reading and prayer. Things like spending more time with my grandchildren. More time in my home cleaning, cooking and serving my family.

The problem is my focus. My focus is off. I am so concerned with the lack of time and the things I wish I had, that I have begun to forget what I DO have.

I have begun to forget the things I need to be thankful for.

Now, I don’t have any trouble at all staring into the clouds watching the sunset over the horizon and thanking God for it. I don’t have any trouble at all gazing at a lone flower nestled among the weeds and praising God for his marvellous creation.

But what I do struggle with is the mundane. The ordinary. The hard. Life. Life in general.

A long time ago I read a quote by an author, and it has often come to mind and pricked my heart with guilt because of how I sometimes behave.

“When asked if my cup is half-full or half-empty, my only response is that I am thankful I have a cup”

What does it take for circumstances to steal my joy? Do I depend on what goes on around me for my happiness? Do I see my cup as half-empty or half-full? Pessimist or optimist?

Shouldn’t I just be thankful I have a cup!

I decided to read over some of my old posts on the subject of gratitude to give my heart a little talking to and let’s just say, I needed the lecture!

Here’s another quote that totally wrecked me and literally made me gasp aloud.

“What if everything I complained about today, was taken away tomorrow?”

Go back and read that one again.

Think about that for a moment. Just sit with it. Lock it in. Process it.

What if all those things you and I grumble about, all those moments that annoy, all those things that frustrate you, all the hard things, everything that causes you to complain, what if it was taken away?

Now, if you don’t think seriously, you might think, “great, good riddance”.

But wait. Stop. Think. Long and hard.

That long, hard day at work, means you have an income, whether great or small, that allows you live with a roof over your head and food on the table. Granted, it may not allow you to take yearly holidays to the Bahamas or in my case, into the wild outback taking in the great expanse of country and sky that is available in this amazing country of ours. But you have what the Bible says we can be content with.

1 Timothy 6:8 KJV - And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

The dishes in the sink mean you’ve eaten a meal. The clothes in the laundry basket mean you have more than one outfit to choose from. The fridge that always seems to need cleaning out means that you have more food than the vast majority of people in other countries.

The husband that you complain about not pulling his weight with the chores around the house, or working long hours, or the children that never seem to be able to pick up after themselves.

If all that you complained about was taken away, what would you have left?

Food for thought.

I know that I have been thoroughly convicted tonight about all that I have to be thankful for. Yes, they are hard things. Do I wish things were different? You bet I do! Do I wish I had more time? You bet I do!

But while I’m wishing my days away, so is the time slipping through my fingers.

This past week it has been impressed upon me once again, that not only has God given everybody on this earth the same 24-hour days, but that he also expects us to use them wisely. (Ephesians 5:16)

I can’t change the circumstances I find myself in at this present season of life, but what I can change is my attitude!

Like I just told a friend of mine, I need an attitude adjustment!! A gratitude adjustment if you will!

I need to stop thinking that if only I had such and such, I would be happier. If only my life was different, I could live with more gratitude. No.

We all know that we shouldn’t let circumstances dictate our joy. Our joy should come from Christ. He is to be the source. He is the well-spring that we should be drawing from.

So, let it be known, I have been thoroughly chastised by the Word of God and his commands to be thankful, not just FOR all things (Ephesians 5:20), but IN all things (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

It is God’s will that we be thankful. And it is our responsibility as Christians to do the will of the Lord. We don’t have to search the scriptures and spend hours praying for Gods’ will in relation to this, when it is so clearly stated. Give thanks. It is the will of God.

True gratitude is not something that comes naturally, nor is it something that is given to us at salvation. No. It is a choice. In order for you to experience joy, you have to make a choice, A choice to be thankful. A choice to praise.

The journey to joy is not by getting something that we don’t have, but rather, by appreciating and being thankful for the things we do have.

So, whatever it is that you’re struggling with being thankful for, take a moment to think about what would happen if it was taken away.

Maybe, you, like me, need a GRATITUDE adjustment.

Psalm 106:1 KJV - Praise ye the LORD.

 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.