Bothersome irritations have blossomed into blessings for me lately. Little annoyances that I used to magnify have changed into things on my gratitude list. When I focused on the thorns, I missed the roses!
My hubby and I both have Fitbits (pedometers) so the amount we are walking has increased dramatically. As I walk I think, pray and generally wonder in my wanderings. While exercising, I climbed those mountains I built from tiny molehills and am learning to enjoy the view.
Here are few on my latest not so insightful awarenesses that led to praise and thanksgiving.
- A few years back we woke up in the middle of the night with a loud thunderstorm raging outside. Unfortunately what aroused us was the dripping of water onto our bed as our roof leaked. The cost to repair the roof took our entire vacation fund. Let me tell you, I complained to everyone, yes everyone, about sacrificing my time away for a stupid roof. One day a good friend looked at me and said, “Poor Jeanie, she needed a roof over her head.” Man, did that put me in my place. Instead of grumbling so much, I should have been grateful we had easy access to the amount of money we needed in a time of emergency. And that I had a safe dry place to live.
- I spent lots of time spring-cleaning the last few weeks. Nobody notices. But IF I didn’t clean they would see the neglect. Some how that just doesn’t seem fair. (whine, whine) Yet I love the smell of the clean floors and the crystal clear view from the shiny windows. The cleaning gives me a sense of order and peace. I am grateful for a clean house when so many in the world are homeless or live in substandard housing.
- As the sun sets and beams through my sparkling porch windows, I see them – tiny handprints left by my twin two year old grandsons. GRRRR – now I have to get everything out and scrub those windows a second time. The smudges on the windows brought back the joyful memory seeing them a few weeks ago peering out that window at the three bunnies in our front yard. I am so thankful for their health, their attention to God’s nature and the love that swells in my heart whenever I think of them. No I didn’t clean that window – I am leaving those handprints there to remind me of love and what really is important in life.
- My hubby has lost weight as we exercise and miraculously, his incessant and loud snoring has improved. BUT the other night as allergy season resumed, so did the return of the nightly noisemaker. I lay there listening to the rhythm of his breathing so grateful he was breathing. You see I have several friends my age whose spouses have died – so young, too young – I bet they would give anything to hear their loved one lying next to them breathing – snoring or not. Thank you Lord for his snoring, his life, and for the time I have had with him.
I am trying to pay attention to my self-talk, my whininess and criticalness. Lessons emerge with my growing awareness of how my thoughts affect my attitude. Like uncut dirty diamonds, the irritations in life hold value. If I listen, their worth becomes priceless messages. Bothersome blessings enliven my journey and provide a light for my path.
How have irritations taught you something about life?
This post is a classic, Jean! I love your examples of turning disappointments and frustrations into moments of gratitude and praise. Your comment about focusing on the roses instead of the thorns reminds me of a quote from Jean Baptiste Alphonse Karr: “Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.” (Perhaps I gleaned that quote from you!)
Your words are so kind, Nancy. It was one those posts that just wrote itself. tumble out of my fingers….Great quote by the way. hope you are having a terrific week.
Your story about the handprints on the window reminded me of visiting a friend’s grandparents’ home when she and I were in college. A toddler twig on the family tree had stuck three milk-soaked Cheerios to the wall by the kitchen table. The grandparents put a frame around the Cheerios.
I have several of Kyla’s art work in my office and on the refrigerator. I know she notices. Priceless!
Aww, Jeanie, I love to watch your whining turn to joy. What a great reminder for me! Those sweet handprints…
Thanks, Laura. I cherish those little handprints.
“like uncut dirty diamonds” Wow what a great line… wish I had written it. And you are so “right on” in this post today. I, too, whine about the good things…Thanks Jeanie. Love to you
Thanks Clella. Like I said on the phone, some post just seem to write themselves and this one was one of those.
You truly made me look at how I can, and many times, do, turn my irritations into blessings. It’s all in our attitude and our openness to how God is working in our lives. Though things might seem tough or unfair at the moment, we need to rely on Him to see us through and give us the lessons we need to learn.
Blessings!
Hello Martha! I saw you commented twice and are now following my blog. Thank you so much. I found you have a blog too so will be sure to visit you soon.
Yes our attitude and openness are key to learning and growing aren’t they? Blessings on your week and so glad we have connected.
Thanks to our mutual friend and blogger, Chris, we are now hooked up, Jean. Looking forward to reading your book, too!