Gratitude Offers Happiness!

This weekend at church, we did our Cardboard Testimonies production which was similar to the Tammy Tangent Tuesdays Cardboard Testimonies post I wrote awhile back regarding homelessness. I was so grateful and honored to be a part of these unique testimonies declaring what all God had delivered each beloved from. Talk about celebrating!

This emulates how I feel the Body of Christ, our churches, were intended to function: Mirroring the life of Christ. After receiving this amazing grace through salvation which transforms our lives into such a beautiful alchemy, that we pay it forward by ushering and extending grace into others. Nothing short of miraculous! That’s gratitude right there.

During the rehearsals and group gatherings, I was asked, “How do you keep your love tank and life so full of joy and happiness?”

I get asked this often and it startles me each time because I don’t realize how happy and joyful I am, even during the hard times. I’m generally referred to as Miss Barnabas because God blessed me with the gift of encouragement, but…

In my belief system, we always have plenty of reasons to be grateful.  Gratitude is a choice; like intentionally choosing to focus on the positive. It’s not a don’t-worry, be-happy mindset; it’s more like be grateful and you will become happy! I choose to be grateful and appreciate every moment I’m given, even when it’s painful. The abundance of God’s Love and light pouring in and through my life makes me appreciate each moment.

Lord, the light of your Love shines on me continually…

Being receptive to this kind of Love was hard at first to receive, but once I embraced it, I was able to realize that I don’t have to perform and conform or change anything. I just have to be and receive. That’s Love worthy of praise!

How we imagine happiness is where we differ from one another. Once I changed my thinking and got rid of the toxic poison injected from past hurts and from not forgiving others, I started living life through the freedom of who God says I am. I started being grateful for simple things that most take for granted, like God’s presence and peace. Talk about a supernatural gift!

Oddly enough, I then became eternally grateful for the hard times that transformed my life. I may not want to endure them again, but I am grateful for the blessings of strength, courage and perseverance they equipped me with.

This opened my eyes to the gifts God lays out for us everyday hoping we’ll acknowledge them by picking them up and opening them. No hoarding allowed! Like the gift of warmth encountered from the sunlight. The colorful bouquets of flowers, or the beautiful bouquet of blue butterflies. The swaying trees dancing to their own beat while offering an umbrella of protection from the elements as they adorn leaves changing colors. 

How often are we grateful for the hard, even formidable, events that cross our paths that make us stronger, kinder, even smarter? Just because we’re assaulted with bleeding hearts does not entitle us to infect others!

The annoying neighbor/friend that taught us to implement boundaries. The simplicity of laughter echoing from an innocent child that filled our ears with delight. The comfort that comes from our tear-stained pillows. Our favorite blanket that offers more comfort than warmth.

Are we grateful for the kindness extended from others? The smiles that set our hearts on fire. The hugs that found themselves somehow wrapped around our tender hearts. The power of a touch. An honest compliment. A listening ear. Letting go of the things that were never intended for us to have. Finding the strength to push through when the easiest thing to do was to give up.

Gratitude helps us see what is there instead of what isn’t. I’m grateful for those times when I’ve felt alone and unworthy and my fears were known while being exposed. The usher who hands me a tissue when I’m releasing my issues. Better yet, being grateful for that time when my bladder was about to bust in that long line and someone else offered their spot so I did not combust or disgust. Talk about gratitude!!!

A Grateful Heart Is A Magnet For Miracles!

I am eternally grateful for being the one who loved when there was a thousand reasons not to.

Even on our hardest days, we can be grateful for the most beautiful things in life that were never even seen with our eyes, because they were experienced deep within the recesses of our hearts; like a gentle kiss, a tear, or even a prayer.

Every day is a gift.  Unwrap it with joy and gratitude. I pray you experience the true blessings of Thanksgiving this year with a heart full of gratitude.

Until next time…

Thank You For Being Beautiful You and Happy Thanksgiving!