Gratitude

I got up this morning feeling rather sorry for myself. I didn't sleep very well at all. I tossed and turned all night feeling stressed about the upcoming transition and finances. This morning I awoke with my tears willingly falling. After Scott and I had prayer, Marisa showed up with Karley and Colton. Poor Karley...she is coming off of prednizone (sp?) because of her asthma and her joints were hurting. She couldn't walk on her right foot. She couldn't even apply pressure without crying out. How thankful it made Scott and I as we sat and looked at the health of Ben and Anna Kate. Yet another thing to be thankful for! Not to mention the fact, quit feeling sorry for myself that things aren't going as I planned.

As I was praying this morning in the midst of taking care of four cute, but very busy kids, (Karley started feeling a little better), God brought a song by Nicole Nordeman to my mind. (This CD was the best birthday present someone has ever gotten me...all of the songs have such meaning! Thanks Patty!) I found the lyrics and am posting them below. If you've never heard the song, look it up and listen to it! I hope it helps you as it has me.

Send some rain, would You send some rain?'
Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade
Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid
But maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other waysAnd if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If You never send us rain

Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight
Wrap us up and warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time
Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
A lesson learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead
And if we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between
What we want and what we really need
So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight
Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace
But Jesus, would You please . . .