Good Morning God!

"Good Morning God!"

That was my first thought this morning as I pulled out of the garage and looked out over the corn field.  Wow!  I love it when I see those sun rays blasting out over the land; like glowing fingers reaching out from the heavens bringing light to the sleepy landscape.  I enjoy seeing this more than that first sip of coffee in the morning.

The beauty of the morning sky brought to mind one of my most favored words: Gratitude.

I didn't always have gratitude.  In fact for the majority of my life I thought I knew what that meant, but isn't it amazing how certain life events can change what certain words or traditions mean?

I was brought up to have manners.  The use of words like "yes please; no thank you" were essential to pleasing one of my parents, but it's part of one of those phrases that brought me to the conclusion that I knew what gratitude was.

I am, as many of us are, a survivor of many things.  Rough childhood; alcoholism; rape; domestic abuse; bankruptcy; repossession; single motherhood; cancer; tobacco dependency; anxiety; depression, and I'm sure if I sat here long enough I could probably think of more, but the point that I am trying to reach is that; through it all I can say with all confidence that the real meaning of gratitude is at the top of the list of wonderful things I gained by going through those things.

Gratitude, I believe; can set you free.  I believe that I survived all the adversity so that I could see with open eyes all the things; people; feelings and so on that God has blessed me with. 
I can also say without doubt that I'm not done going through the bumps in life, and in all honesty, for that I am grateful!  What a blessing to continue on this journey and have the opportunity to continue to learn life's precious lessons!  Sure, there is going to hurt involved.  Probably even some tears and heartache, but if I keep the main thing the main thing (thank you Pastor!) and keep gratitude in my heart while I learn to serve others - I will continue to be blessed beyond all imagination.

So with that I say; Good Morning God.  Thank you for being part of my life, and loving me no matter what.  No matter who in my earthly life doesn't like or love me - you are there.  And for that I am grateful!