Tuesday talking

 

Happy Tuesday, friends! Today I thought I'd share from a writing prompt that I recently found on Pinterest. 

If you chose four words to describe you right now, what would they be? Four words I would pick to describe myself right now are content, grateful, weary, and hopeful. I know those combined probably sound strange, so I'll explain.

I do feel content with life right now. I realized this recently when I was out shopping/browsing. I didn't feel a pressing need to make a lot of purchases that day. I don't mean things that I consider necessities, but the extra things. I am really going to try to cut way back from Amazon in the new year! I realized as I was cleaning out my closet yesterday that I am bad at making impulse purchases. I want to be more intentional about money that I spend and items that I purchase to wear. Do you follow Mel Larson on Instagram? She used to be the writer from Larson Lingo in the blogging world years ago, but she plans out her purchases ahead of time each year, and she only buys one thing a month all year long. I don't know that I'll commit to that kind of living, but I do want to be more mindful of what I spend money on. I also noticed yesterday that my taste in clothing is changing a little again. Do you go through phases like this? I attribute this partly to losing weight and the fit of clothing that I can wear again. 

Back to being content with life right now—this always feels like a God thing for me. I was reading in Philippians last week, the fourth chapter that I love so much, and the writer of that letter was talking to the church about his own life. He was telling them that he had had times of plenty, and times with little, but that in every situation he had learned to be content because of the strength of the Lord. Here's what the actual verses say:

I don't say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:11-13

I try my best to always maintain an attitude of gratitude, and once again, this is always a God thing. I do think that the Lord has been kind to show me perspective when I truly need a good dose of reality. That being said, I like to keep a running list of things that I am thankful for. When you make gratitude a practice, something in your life changes. You gain optimism and a sense of appreciating that things are as they are, and not much worse as they could be. If you only knew how often I talk to myself and to the Lord about such things, you would be blown away. I often pour out my heart to God in prayer, because I have a lot of things always running through my mind, and a lot of those are based on circumstances in life that I am walking through. 

And on that note, there are times lately that I have felt weary. I was talking with a friend about this on Sunday at church. Life feels difficult a lot, and this year has taken a bit of a toll. I am fine a lot of the time, but sometimes I am the complete opposite, and I cry all over the place. We've had a lot going on in our lives, and a lot of things have changed. Through it all, I can say with wholehearted certainty that God is always good, He is faithful, mighty, and Protector. He has protected our sons, He has given us good health, He has been right beside us through thick and thin. Has everything turned out how I'd hoped recently? Not at all! Has He ever left my side? Not once. I know that He hears, He sees, and He knows, and because I love Him, He is working out all things for my good because I am called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28 tells me that.) I just read something that grief and joy can coexist, and I know it's true and normal to feel both simultaneously.

I feel hopeful that someday in certain circumstances, things will be different. Situations in life are never without hope! I am praying about so many things right now, pertaining to relationships in life. Once again, God is always so very good to us! I trust Him with everything in our life and know that I don't have to worry about one little thing. I love the verses in Matthew that talk about how God cares for the birds of the air, and they never have to worry about where their food will come from. If He cares so much for the birds of the air, how much more does He care for us, who He created in His image (Matthew 6:24-36)? Once again, these are things that I know to be true. I often surrender everything that is on my mind to Him in prayer, and I know that He gladly bears my burdens. I literally don't know what I would do without Him in my life, and I never want to! Without Him I wouldn't be able to even stand on my own two feet. 

I'll ask again: what four words would describe your life right now? I'm interested in hearing your responses. Also, I'm including the graphic I found for today's blog post on Pinterest, because there are some great things that are listed to think about. I love reading things like this and being inspired in my writing. Maybe some of you will do something similar! I have every intention of blogging through the upcoming holidays, so I hope you keep coming back each day. These last two weeks of the year are my favorite as far as blog posts go. I've got lots of upcoming ideas that I can't wait to share.

Thanks for reading my blog, friends. I know you know this, but I am thankful for you and I pray for you so often. Love to all!