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Tuesday, October 9, 2012

ugly heart.

I was originally intending to post a delicious recipe for Iced Pumpkin cookies, but that will have to wait until tomorrow.  

Believe me when I say you WILL want to check back tomorrow.  

This recipe is one to be repeated over and over again during these Fall months.

I digress...


God spoke to me loud and clear this morning.

Yesterday was a hard day.

Michael decided to go to the (away) JV football game.

That meant James didn't get to see his dad at all yesterday.  

I got to spend time with him at approximately 10:15 last night for a total of 30ish minutes before I called it a night.

By that point, I was exhausted and grumpy.

I started complaining to Michael about everything that had been building up in my ugly heart.

He didn't need to hear it.  He was already majorly bummed by the fact that the football team lost another game.

I needed to be there for him...to let him talk out his frustrations...but instead I chose to focus on me.

He was the not so lucky one with whom I dumped my complaints on.

Instead of talking it over with the One who gave me life, I went to bed with an ugly heart.




This morning, I woke up with a new mindset after reading today's excerpt from "Jesus Calling".

I broke down in tears as I read this.  God was clearly using this message to speak to me.

So, in place of seeking out all of the "negative" around me, I choose to make note of all that I am thankful for today.



Here are just a few that I've come up with so far (out of many that I have racing through my mind...I don't want to keep you all day with my "thankful" list...):

I am thankful that I get to spend my days with the guy in the pictures above.
Michael and I had to make sacrifices in order for this to work, but I wouldn't change our decision for the world. 

I am thankful for the mess of toys around my house during the day.
That means I have one happy, healthy boy who loves to play and investigate and explore and create.


I am thankful for having the best husband around.
Seriously.  The man is patient, loving, and forgiving.
He's also one heck of a football coach who gives 110% to that team.

I am thankful for our house and the fact that God placed us in this town for a very specific reason.
I was having my doubts last night, but Michael reminded me once again why we are here.

I am thankful for my family.
Each person is so dear to me and I am forever thankful for their love. 
 
Friends, it's amazing how shifting your focus can completely change your day.  I encourage you to do the same thing, today.  

Find the good and spend less time focusing on the bad.


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10 comments:

  1. This moved me to tears. We all need to be reminded.....thanks for sharing. Fortunately the good days outnumber the days we carry an 'ugly heart.' You are an awesome child of God.

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    1. You are so right, mama. I'm thankful for each new day....a day when I decide to choose joy! I love you!!

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  2. I have been there soooo many times, Kristin, and I still struggle with my ugly heart daily! I love the excerpt from "Jesus Calling." How awesome is it that we can share EVERYTHING with Him, and He will NEVER judge us and will ALWAYS have our back?? Thank you for sharing; and I for one am SO glad you are here!! :)

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  3. thanks for stopping by my blog, i just love yours and your heart :) now following you too!

    beautiful post and i cant wait to read the pumpkin cookie post :)

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  4. Amen, Paula! Your words encourage me and mean so much. God is good! Thanks for being a great friend. :)

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  5. Erin, welcome! You are so great. Thank you for your sweet words. :)

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  6. Wow, that was convicting. I do this way too much, I am so ashamed to say. Thank you for your wise words, and for sharing your heart. Your honesty is beautiful. xoxo

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  7. good for you! and what an encouraging post. you're right it can be soo easy to focus on the negative and forget about all the of positive things to be thankful for. thanks for sharing this and thanks for being a part of quite the bloggers!

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  8. Andrea-you are so sweet. It's so easy to get wrapped up in ourselves and dump out all of our "junk" to someone we're close to, instead of taking that to Jesus. I'm STILL trying to figure that one out. :) Thanks for stopping by!

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  9. Morgan-so great to hear from you! Thanks for stopping by. :). Why is it always easier to focus on the negative (for me anyways)?

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