Attitude of Gratitude from Fern Creek Cottage

Today is the second installment of the Attitude of Gratitude series.

From now through Thanksgiving, sixteen bloggers are going to be sharing what it means for them to have an Attitude of Gratitude. (Click here for the complete list of posts).
Join us Monday through Friday, and feel welcome to share your own stories as well in the comments sections of each post.
I was thrilled when my next guest accepted the challenge to share her story. Please welcome Lisa from Fern Creek Cottage!

Hi, I'm Lisa and I blog at Fern Creek Cottage where you will usually see lots of pretty pictures.

 I love DIY projects and decorating my home on a budget!

 I have to admit I was pretty scared when Kristin asked me to write in her Attitude of Gratitude series, but I love the idea so I'm plunging into the deep end.

~

It is easy peasy to feel grateful when everything in life is smooth sailing.

 You can sit around your thanksgiving table with a smile on your face thinking, life is good!

But what about when your life isn't looking so great; maybe you're experiencing job loss, sickness or even a death in the family.

 Can you feel grateful when life, quite frankly, pretty much sucks at the moment?

~

Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is my strength.

 Nehemiah 8:10b

If you've been going to church for any length of time you've probably heard this verse.

 But for years I wondered...what in the world does it mean?

 But, then I lived it and I knew.

I had been to the doctors that day and found out I was having a miscarriage-again.

 I was devastated.

 Really that isn't even a strong enough word.

 My whole being was filled with sorrow.

 But I was also a mommy to my wonderful son Grant and it was Awana night at church.

So instead of crawling under the covers and crying I got in the car and went to church.

 While Grant was having fun, I slipped into a seat for bible class and I made sure I sat in the middle of a long row of chairs, hoping no one would sit near me.

 The service started and tears were continually running down my face.

Then it was time for us to sing.

 I stood up and tried to join the others in singing.

The next thing you know, I am singing in full strength, while crying.

 I am still devastated and yet filled with joy.

 I was blessed to be worshipping my Jesus who loves me.

 It was an odd and yet wonderful experience and it occurred to me that night, that it had happened....the joy of the Lord was my strength!

 It wasn't something I had to summon up from within myself.

 No!

 It was something that burst out of me while glorifying God.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

 Isaiah 55:8-9

When my life isn't making any sense.

 When I'm screaming out inside "Why, why, why?"

 I go to my life verses that you just read above.

The first time I read them I was sitting in bed reading a book about a woman who hiked across the United States.

The author had scattered bible verses though out the bottom of some of the pages in the book.

 I read these verses from the book of Isaiah and immediately started crying.

 In fact I burst into tears.

 I felt such relief.

A huge burden had been lifted from my shoulders!

I don't have to know "why."

 I don't have to figure anything out at all.

 God has shown himself to be so good to me and when something scary and confusing happens I can trust Him. He knows what He is doing!

Believe me girls, I'm not preaching to you.

 I am reminding myself!

~

 My story has a happy ending. :)

After three miscarriages and traveling down many different adoption roads and having many doors close, we finally were able to adopt Levi.

Oh happy day!

My sweet boys, Levi and Grant, this summer.

I am so grateful for them!!

Thank you so much for letting me share a bit of my story with you.

Any questions, comments, stories you want to share with me?

I would LOVE to hear them!

Follow Me on Pinterest