From grumpy to grateful

I woke up this morning and I was a grump. I'm tired, for one thing, and every other possible reason for my grumpiness I'll just chalk up to a bad attitude on my part.

I wasn't especially thrilled to begin the day that stretched out before me. As I got out of bed, do you know what song came to mind? This one. I thought it was a little humorous, actually. That song, on a day when I felt so grumpy. I shrugged it off and went on my merry grumpy way.

My plan was to read a bit in the Bible and then pour all of my grumpiness into a journal entry. I turned to the Psalms to pick up where I'd left off.

Psalm 138.

It begins: "I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart."

Now. I know Psalm 138 says much more than that but I wouldn't know what, exactly, because I didn't make it any further than those first ten words. And really, just those first four words were exactly what God wanted to speak to my heart this morning.

I will praise you.

I wanted to come to Him and pour out all my stuff, and He gently reminded me to praise Him.

I didn't particularly feel so praise-filled at that moment. But then, it doesn't say, "I feel like praising you." It says, "I will praise you." Well, then. Okay. I accepted His call to praise, if a bit reluctantly.

The twenty minutes I took to write down a list of praises completely changed the course of my day. It changed my grumpy spirit to a grateful one.

It's such a simple thing, really. Praise. Thankfulness. Gratitude. [Which begs the question, "Why, then, am I so quick to forget it?" I'm quite sure if you dug through the archives here on this blog you could find any number of posts that are nearly exactly like this one.]

I am counting my many blessings today, and I am praying that God will shape me to be a woman who has a heart of praise.

Oh. And before you click away?

Here's just one of my many blessings:

15 comments:

  1. My day yesterday started out like that, but early I was reminded of a song Point of Grace? that says "Every minute without you is worthless". Was I really willing to waste this day? No! I will bless the Lord at all times!

    What a smiley girl you have!

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  2. I need to be hit over the head with this message several times a day. It's so easy to let my circumstances- being tired, etc.- dictate my mood, instead of choosing to be thankful like I'm often telling my kids! I need to listen up! Thanks for the reminder, and the lovely picture of your little darling.
    Rebeca

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  3. What a precious smile!

    And I know days like that OFTEN. Way too often! Thanks for the refreshing reminder to suck it up and Give God the glory for everything He has blessed me with!

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  4. Imagine if you woke up grumpy and you didn't have God to turn to.

    Lamentations 3:22 Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed, for his compassion’s never fail. 23They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

    Psalm 89:15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.

    You are blessed!

    Tami R.

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  5. I've SO been there, my friend! You are such a blessing. I WILL praise Him. Now, I am counting blessings right along with you :-)

    And Addy is precious - so kissable and happy looking!!

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  6. Hi Stacy :) What an encouraging post! I love the way the Father meets us right where we are... just knowing that He knows is such a delight.

    And then, knowing that the perfect answer was praising Him...

    Thanks for sharing with us :) Love you! Q

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  7. Thank you for the reminder and encouragement. It's been a rough week and too often, I go on how I am feeling rather than what I should be doing. I have a lot to praise HIM for!

    P.S. ~ Your little angel is just beautiful!

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  8. Look at that smile!!!

    I need to sit down and do that today as well. Because my attitude has been sucky lately!

    Thanks for the encouragement!

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  9. Don't you just LOVE when He reaches out to you and can change such a yucky day into a great and fulfilling one? How amazing the Holy Spirit is!!

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  10. Maybe the grumpiness is in the air. I've had it too! But today is better :-)

    What a sweet smile Addie has!!

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  11. that girl!!!

    oh my you are blessed.

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  12. Yes.
    Good reminder.
    It is hard to list even a small fraction of our blessings and still remain grumpy.

    And that baby?????!!!!!!
    One look at that smile should turn you on a dime!

    :)
    Love you (and counting you as one of the biggest blessings on MY list!!!)
    Michelle

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  13. Yes.
    Good reminder.
    It is hard to list even a small fraction of our blessings and still remain grumpy.

    And that baby?????!!!!!!
    One look at that smile should turn you on a dime!

    :)
    Love you (and counting you as one of the biggest blessings on MY list!!!)
    Michelle

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  14. Yes.
    Good reminder.
    It is hard to list even a small fraction of our blessings and still remain grumpy.

    And that baby?????!!!!!!
    One look at that smile should turn you on a dime!

    :)
    Love you (and counting you as one of the biggest blessings on MY list!!!)
    Michelle

    ReplyDelete

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