Don't knock it until you try it....

When I was little girl...well, I didn't think I was so little but I was...I used to love to watch Pollyanna. I watched it regularly on Sundays after church. I had all the lines memorized, I can still quote a few.

My point is though that she played the "Glad Game". Basically, in order to keep her focus on the positive, she would point out to herself or anyone within earshot things she was glad about rather than sad. It's a a good movie for anyone that enjoys just a pure little story. I recommend it...

But anyhow...what I gleaned here recently as this random memory came to mind was that really to have proper perspective being thankful for what God has given is not only a way to worship Him but it's also a great way to see His hand in your life.

There are times that I want to run because of the bulk of blessings that I take pleasure in simply because it seems odd that I have them and much of the world does not. There are times that I find myself caught in the trap of feeling dissatisfaction over what I have. I know it's normal and natural...but the glad game just helps you dispel all of that. It keeps the focus proper. It reminds you that God provided and therefore your blessings are His gift to you, not a gift to yourself.

Anyway...I'm going to play the Glad Game now and then on the blog.

Here's my list from yesterday, things I'm glad for:


1. Ethan's enthusiasm as he explains Star Wars. It's tiring at times to hear it over and over as he reiterates the details of each character and their roles but at the same time as I listen, I'm glad to know he's this capable of expressing himself and this intelligent to have all this stuff memorized.

2. The man I was stuck behind in stop and go traffic which since I was childless, I enjoyed the rush hour hum drum. He was driving a cream colored Mini Cooper...had two, not just one, phone ear pieces...is that normal? And yet, as we slowed down over and over, he rolled down his window to tell the man next to him that his left rear tire was low. He cared. He didn't have to and from all appearances could have very well been too busy to care, but he wasn't. He did and made that known. I was encouraged by that.

3. For Caleb's comforting ways. Caleb told me last night after I gave him a pep talk over the noises he hears while sleeping in his new big boy bed...I explained how big God was and how God protects him every day. Later in the conversation, he reassured me just out of the blue that "It's all right Mommy, you not be scared. God keep you safe." How precious the words and the message!

4. I'm glad for friends that I can be myself around. Last night we had "date night" with two other couples from our small group from church. There were no pretenses present. We could do, act and be ourselves, even the crude and tacky parts of ourselves. We're family. I'm glad I have them!

5. For trash men aka garbage collectors. I'm glad we live in a country where someone comes and takes away your rubbish. I try so hard to do what I can to keep that down to a minimum but regardless, when they come and take the unwanted garbage away, it's a blessing, it truly is.

6. For my Rick. He takes care of me even in ways I never fathomed I needed caring for in. He stays level headed and steady. He's forgiving to a fault and he's definitely in touch with the need to bend and give in our relationship. He's also one of the most obedient people I know when it comes to God's hand sculpting something new in his life.