Blessings in disguise

I ran across this poem the other day in one of my magazines: 

Dishwasher's Grace

Thank God for dirty dishes, they have a tale to tell

While other folks go hungry, we're eating very well.

With home and health and happiness, we shouldn't want to fuss,

For by this stack of evidence, God's very good to us.

-Kirsten Emmerton

I really like that, puts things in perspective.  I think I am going to frame it and put it above my kitchen sink!

And then I got to thinking....what else in my life is a lot like this?  What things do I view as annoyances that are actually evidence of God's grace and blessing in my life?

• a mountain of never-ending laundry = we have more clothes than we need
• toys always strewn about on the floor, never put away = our kids have many things to play with
• I have to make the bed every day = I have a bed to sleep in
we have to fix something at our house or pay money to get something fixed = we have a roof over our heads and a warm place to sleep every night

I've been doing a lot of complaining these days, things just aren't really going my way lately.  Someone's always sick, something's always breaking ,etc.  This Thanksgiving I am going to try and focus on the positive side.  The side that says "sure, things are sometimes not great, but look how much you take for granted". 

I am grateful to God for everything He has given me.  I don't deserve any of it.  When I think how the Pilgrims at the first Thanksgiving were so grateful, in spite of all they had been through, it makes me realize just how much I need to change my attitude.  I want to try and have an attitude of contentment and gratitude no matter my circumstances.  If not for what is happening in my life, then for the God of my life who is still in control.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!