The Gratitude Experiment

It was harder than I thought to practice a month of gratitude.  I still find myself cranky or asking God for things I don't really need rather than being grateful for the things I have, but thinking about gratitude this month has really focused me on what I do have:

1.  A good husband
2.  Healthy children
3.  A home
4.  2 operational vehicles
5.  Lots of extra creature comforts
6.  Plenty to eat
7.  Friends to laugh (and cry) with
8.  Dreams for the future
9.  A great, flexible work-from-home job
10. Amazing parents, siblings and extended family

But as I've been thinking about focusing on gratitude rather than petitions, I've thought about how petitions are such a central part of leaning on God in hard times and good times.  It's not the petitions that have been my problem, it's the whining-please-make-everything-work-out-without-any-hiccups nature of my petitions. 

When my husband was laid off in 2011, a friend gave me a great verse:

Jeremiah 29:11-For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

And what a beautiful future it is.  A new baby, a new job for my husband and enough love to go around.  Thank you God for Your plans.