Grateful

On Sunday I was given a precious gift. It is a ring, made of sterling silver, and the metal of the ring is bent and twisted into a word. And the word is...grateful.

On this particular Sunday I was feeling anything but grateful. I was in the middle of a pretty raging party. Yep, a pity party. One I was hosting for myself, but I wanted everyone invited, because, you know, I didn't want to be the only one pitying me. 

I know it sounds kind of funny and maybe I am over doing it a little, but let's just say, I had lost my focus.

My husband and I were invited to visit friends. Very shortly after coming through the door the wife handed me a little box and told me that it was a gift for me. I opened it and there was the ring....grateful. I slipped it on my finger and it fit just like it was made for me.

We had such a nice visit. It was so pleasant to get away from what had been dominating my mind and just relax. And I kept looking at the ring all throughout the evening. And every time I did, I smiled in my heart, and thought to myself, I am grateful. I am grateful for friends that love God as much we do. And I'm grateful for their hospitality.

Later, during the night when the earlier worries took away my sleep, I sat in the dim light of the living room. The dim light caused a flash on my hand.....grateful. I began to think about my worries and I wondered why we have so many sometimes. And then I think, worries rob me of gratitude. So it makes sense that gratitude can overcome worries. It just depends on which attitudeI choose. Do I choose to be miserable or do I choose gratitude? And I began to get sleepy, and rest came.

Off and on since then I have looked at the ring and smiled in my heart. I want to remember that gratitude can overcome doubt, fear, worry, and negativity.

I do not know how or why this gift was chosen for me. But I know it came from a friend, a godly sister, at just the time I really needed it.