Its a brand new day!!!

I almost hesitated using that title for today's post...every day is a brand new day, and what if, on some OTHER day, it was a more appropriate title? I guess there is no law that says I can't use it twice....but I'm just kind of "funny" about that I guess. There goes that "Type A" personality again! But it TRULY is a brand new day, and am I ever thankful!!!! It hasn't been the best few days...but as you may remember, I am trying to live on the THANKFUL side of life, so today I choose to be thankful for what God has given me. So far today I am thankful for the following: 1. The dishwasher did NOT overflow into the entire apartment. 2. My youngest son (18) has ears to PRETEND to listen to me as I get angry about the messes he leaves around the house. 3. The dogs ate most of the empty toilet paper roll so there wasn't too much to clean up. 4. It is cold out but the sun is shining. 5. I DID break the mop while mopping up the mess in the kitchen from the dishwasher, but I think I can fix it! See? Things are looking up! That's why I'm glad it's a brand new day. Each day may offer many challenges...and most days, those challenges are NOT of the positive variety! We have to face these challenges, that's obvious! But we don't have to face the challenges alone! That's where family steps in! NOT the family you may be thinking though...I'm talking about your FATHER....your HEAVENLY FATHER! That is one thing I am sure of in life! I can ALWAYS lean on my Heavenly Father! Does God care about overflowing dishwashers? Of course He does! Why? Because it affects those He loves! And He loves ME! It may not be a major issue in the entire scheme of things, but it has affected my day and God wants my days to be good, in all ways. If I'm having a good day, my focus is more likely to be on the one that supplies that good day...God! See? It's a "win-win" situation! God is carrying me through a "tough" time (the dishwasher, the son, the dogs...even the mop!) and I am grateful! There's also a BONUS to this way of life: I see these daily dilemas as just a bump in the road....not the demise of my entire life! I'm sure we all know someone (and it might even be ourselves!)that sees even the slightest bit of "mess" as the end of the world. Is that attitude really worth it? Of course not! Thankfulness is the new bitterness. Thankfulness is the new sulking. Thankfulness is the new anger. Try it! I'm not saying that I am always outwardly thankful. God knows I'm not. I am human. I have MANY moments of...let's call it UNTHANKFULNESS. There are many times, throughout the day even, that I WANT to run away. (See posting from another day!) But I am trying to see the good in all things. In the book I keep talking about One Thousand Gifts by AnnVolskamp this attitude of thankfulness is called EUCHARISTEO. You just HAVE to read this book!!! So here's to the things that will remind us that today really is A BRAND NEW DAY. And so is tomorrow! We get a new chance every 24 hours to get things right! Sure we are on a HUGE learning curve, but that's what daily experience is all about. Someone once told me that "You only FAIL if you FAIL TO LEARN from your mistakes" (sorry I don't know who the author of that quote is/was). Whether it is below zero where you are, or your dogs ate the toilet paper roll too....be thankful! Tomorrow is another BRAND NEW DAY! Blessings to you all! Sooz