Sunday Afternoon Tea

It was lovely to sit at a table by the window at the coffee shop a few days ago, listening to classical music in the background, sipping coffee and taking a nibble once in awhile from my pastry. I was using a gift card so there was absolutely no guilt, just the ability to ponder away from all the gotta do's of home.

I brought with me my pink spiral notebook, the one with the University's name on the front... they sell such pretty notebooks these days. Ponderings were put on paper as well as Psalms picked out to pray through this year. I plan on spending more time in study this week but that was certainly a good start.

I am finally well rested and feeling better... still easily fatigued but that is easy to work around. I have gone back to my "a little at a time accomplishes much" way of doing things. There are certainly times I want to stomp my feet and complain to He Who Created Me about the limitations brought about by chronic illness and a compromised immune system.

But those moments only last a short while and He ignores such outburst the same way I let complaints from others go in one ear and out the other... as I know they are tired, frustrated, or just a little cranky from life's limitations.

What I was thinking about at the coffee shop and writing in my notebook was the subject of... attitude. I was pondering how our attitude toward God and Life and Eternity and "our place in this world" filters everything in our life. The Word says, "...as a man thinks in his heart, so is he" and I've certainly found that true in my own life.

While we live with very limited income, I was overwhelmed with the generosity of friends this Christmas. If I had a bad attitude, I'd complain to God about the need to believe Him for anything other than the basic bills (house payment, utilities, etc.). However, living with a thankful attitude causes me to anticipate what He is doing next and how He meets every need.

If one has a bad attitude toward life, then that person grumbles at what they lack. Developing a good attitude, a godly attitude, changes that lack into an adventure of seeing God's hand in our circumstances.

I was excited to hear what my granddaughters reaction was when they received the American Girl dolls from their paternal grandparents. I remember as a child that to receive a much desired doll was the best thing that could happen in my young life. I believe the Holy Spirit within us is the same way... He watches as a desire is met and laughs with us when hope is no longer deferred.

Life can be quite the battle and as we take our last breath, we will look back at the scars and bruises... wins and losses... the times we trusted and the moments we failed... all part of our destined days on this planet. Personally, I want to look back on my life with the pictures filtered through a godly attitude. I think only then can we see it becoming an amazing tapestry filled with grace and beauty.

Since I did not accept work at the bookstore the beginning of this new semester, I hope to spend time in study and reading and pondering and other things one can do when the house is a little more quiet. First I must finish sorting and cleaning the garage...