Half full or half empty???

I don't even know where to begin. I just feel compelled to write about my thoughts. Life is good. I am blessed. It's been two weeks since I've been to church......until tonight. As you know I work night shift so I come home and sleep on Sunday mornings every other week, and Sunday night is night #7 at work. It takes EVERY OUNCE of my being to get out of bed on Sundays to make it to night church. Well, can I just say God NEVER ceases to teach me something and bless me when I choose to serve Him?! I was so blessed tonight at church, and I don't know if it's really what was spoken, or just being in the Lord's house. God is a great big God! I like to think of the silly song that says, "God is bigger than the boogie man, He's bigger than Godzilla or the monsters on t.v. Oh, God is bigger than the boogie man, and He's watchin' out for you and me!" =) That is so true. My God has ALWAYS been there for me, in good times and in bad. Sometimes I get in moods where my attitude's not right, and I ask God what he can do for me.....not what I can do for Him. Then, I always make it back to church and God straightens me out in His kind and tender way. I just sat in my car and worshipped on the way to work tonight and told God how thankful I am for all He has given me. I completely take for granted all I have. I mean, I have LIFE and HEALTH, a wonderful JOB, the ability to BREATHE on my own (unlike some of my precious patients), a fabulous HUSBAND and FAMILY, a SHELTER from the rain, and much, much more. But so many times I find myself thinking of all the negative of this world. So......my goal this week (and here on out) is to look at everything in a positive light.
For examples:
Instead of "I hate the rain", I can choose to say, "Thank you God for watering the grass for free!"
Instead of "I don't want to go to work", I say, "Thank you God for blessing me with a job!"
Instead of "I'm hot.....turn the heat down!!", I say, "Thank you God for giving me a house with working heat!"
Instead of "My hair looks a hot-mess!", I say, "Thank you God that I have hair, unlike the pt. getting chemo who would love to have hair to look a hot-mess"
And the list goes on and on.......

See? It's all a matter of perspective. Such a powerful word. I know that there are many times in this world that we will have heartache and pain, but God is there with us all the way, and there's always something to smile about. Even if it's just the fact that we serve a God who loved us enough to die for us and holds us in His hands when times are rough. The bible says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. " (John 16: 32-33)

God,
Thank you for loving us and taking care of us. May we always choose to praise you....even in the storms. Help us to have a positive outlook and remember you are guiding us every step of the way. Hold us up when times get tough, and remind us to rejoice with you in the good times. We love you and praise you for all you have done, and all you will do!
Amen

I am going to try and look for ways to help others this week instead of doing for myself. I want to be a servant like Jesus and be obedient to His word. I want to love on others and help them in times of need. I want to make Jesus smile by loving on his children. =)

And as a side note, PLEASE continue to pray for my friend Mary and her family during this hard time during her grandmother's illness. Hop on over there, and show her some love!! Also, please pray for my friend Heather who continues to fight to get better. She is still in ICU and sedated on the ventilator, but is now also having kidney problems too. Pray that God would be with these two women and surround them with His unfailing love and grace!