Grateful in the Garbage
photo by laurel creative
The idea of being grateful and cultivating an attitude of gratitude has become a form of self care. The whole idea of “self care” has become a HUGE trend. Actually, it isn’t even a trend anymore, it is an industry. Being truly grateful is a very rewarding feeling. However, it can be work because it needs to be very intentional. It is easier to list out complaints, and focus on what is NOT happening in our lives. Or what we do NOT have. When we spend most of our days looking at what other people are doing, what opportunities they have and things they are acquiring being grateful can be a challenge. For gratefulness to become a reflex we almost need to train our brain.
We actually train our brains all day long by what we consume. Time and time again we scroll through social media with more moments of comparison than true happiness for others. This gives us a million reasons to be unsettled about our own lives and situations. Suddenly, we know we should be grateful but we just can’t help the sin of envy, which brings frustration. I realized I need to re-train my brain. I know I have so much to be grateful for, yet it seems I spend a lot of time talking about what I am frustrated about instead.
I recently had a HUGE opportunity to take part in a project with the today show. I am still riding that wave of gratefulness. That opportunity didn’t just come from nowhere. It came from a carefully laid plan where I was obedient and faithful seeing the results of hard work. When the COVID crisis began it was hard to establish a routine or be motivated. These are things everyone felt, and it is quite possible people are still feeling this way. I saw two people start a group called the Quarantine Collective, where they asked different people to cook as a part of this community. Something in me wanted to be a part of it so bad. A couple of days later I got an email about it and I was thrilled. Long story short, having to submit a recipe weekly kept me going. It gave some purpose and accountability. Did I have to submit every week? No, but I decided to take it on, to be faithful to a commitment. This lead to meeting so many great creators, and being a part of a cookbook for charity purposes. Was it all super easy and smooth sailing. NO! There were weeks where I felt uninspired and it took me forever to think of a recipe. I worried what I had to offer didn’t measure up. There were nights I was trying to get dinner together for Siena, while trying to put the post through on social media, and it was not working. There were some days where I wanted to quit or take a week off. However, I was faithful to the commitment I made, I wanted to see it through. Had I given in to my negative feelings the chance to work with the Today Show would not have happened. I let God give me the strength to push through when I was tired and when I “didn’t feel like it.” When I wondered would this work really matter? It was just another situation he was using to prove to me he is still there, working on my behalf.
I am not saying the pandemic is a welcomed situation or one I want to make light of. I am saying that God still provides on many levels even in the most impossible situation. If we are willing to trust him and say I am going to stay faithful even in the low points, he will bring relief. He does reward those who are obedient and put in the work. Even in this garbage situation that is COVID, God can still have bright spots appear in your life. Now, it is my job to remember that and be intentionally grateful. I want to find the smallest thing to be grateful for daily. Then focus on that. I even started a little journal. I list out what I am grateful for, what was the best part of my day, and what I am looking forward too. It is turning my day around, it is helping settle me at night. I am finding myself smiling to myself a little more as I am pointing out the good more than the bad.
note: I am not a preacher or one who holds any bible degree. Just an avid Jesus lover and follower sharing the thoughts and interpretations that I have come about when reading and studying in my own walk with the Lord. Please read the Bible and study for yourself and consult with your Pastor if you feel my perspective is misleading or does not agree with your “theology.”
My church is Full Gospel in Livingston, New Jersey. Look us up on Facebook or Youtube to hear sermons!