My bible study was cut short this morning. While listening to a wise woman who absolutely radiates God’s grace, my phone rang. Preschool. Grady is sick and I need to come get him.

In an instant I went from nodding in agreement about how we find ways throughout our day to focus on God’s love; to woe is me because I had to cut bible study short and now have two sick kids.

I shocked myself at how fast my mindset changed and how quickly I let myself get on the slippery path of self-focus. It didn’t take me 30 seconds to forget what I had just learned.

I was saying: Just great. Porter has a stomach problem of some sort, now Grady is sick with a double ear infection. I have to clean house and get ready since we are hosting Christmas. I need to run errands but I won’t be able to until the boys are better.

What I should have been saying was: Thank you God for giving me two kids that are overall healthy. Of course all kids get sick and how blessed am I that some stomach bugs and ear infections are the worst we have it. Thank you for giving us this house to call a home. Where we can be real and be a family in it. Thank you for giving us family to spend Christmas with and blessing us enough to be able to provide for our family and help spread some joy to others.

When I shifted my mindset from my selfish “why me” attitude, to focusing on God’s abundant blessings over my life, it completely turned my day around. It didn’t make everything better. In fact, now Grady has thrown up several times this evening on top of his ear infections. But it did change my perspective and allow me to still be thankful today.

Yes, tonight I will still pray that my babies get better quickly, but I will also thank God that no matter what I could ever be faced with, I will always be blessed. I will always have HIS love, mercy, and grace. And if I have nothing else it would be enough.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18