Gloominess turned into Thankfulness

Heads up- if you don't want to read about my mister, then you may want to stop reading this post and check back again when there is a new post.

I am supposed to be grading right now, but my mind is running a mile a minute.  It was a rough day at work, and has been a discouraging day on many levels, for many different reasons.

I am trying to pull my mind from replaying a million times over the discouraging thoughts, and force myself into focusing on what I am thankful for.

I am thankful for my mister.

Cliche as it may sound, God has blessed me way beyond what I deserve.  I can truly say that my mister is a huge contribution to who I am, and to any accomplishments I may have.  They say "Behind every good man is a great woman."  I would like to switch that though, at least in our situation, "Behind this woman is a great man."

This year I have struggled in knowing how to "turn work off".  I bring it home- the grading, the hurts, the lesson plans, the words I said and heard, everything.  This has proven to be very unhealthy.  My mister has reminded me that worry is a sin, and has helped refocus my mind. In this, I have grown to love him all the more, and realize what a gift God gave me when He gave me my mister.

I can't put this into words, because there aren't enough.

I am thankful for his gentleness.

I am thankful that he is willing to have the tough conversations with me and call me out on sin (ahem, worrying).

I am thankful that he not only listens, but offers deep advice.

I am thankful that he hurries home to me after work.

I am thankful that he loves my family.

I am thankful that he helps me with my job.  He helps me grade papers way more than I care to admit.

I am thankful for how he financially provides.

I am thankful for how he treats others that he loves.

I am thankful that he is unwavering- mentally, emotionally, spiritually!

I am thankful that he is my best friend.

I am thankful for how much fun we have together.

I am thankful for every moment we get together, and that it is never enough.

I am thankful that we are still on our honeymoon.

I am thankful that he tells me when what I cooked for him didn't turn out the best.

I am thankful for his compliments.

I could go on for days, weeks, months!  Simply put, I am thankful for my husband and his unconditional love.

Proverbs 16:9

I sit down to plan out my week, as I always do, and I reflect on the verse "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps" Proverbs 16:9 (ESV).

Just like every other week, I sat down to plan my week-- meals, outfits, engagements, lesson plans, church activities.  The list could go on.  I am a type A person, and am a big planner.  My pitfall though is in handling a change to those plans.  Clearly I have not yet mastered handling it gracefully with trust in what the Lord has in store instead.

This week, sickness hit our home, and it hit harder than normal. All meal plans went out the window.  We had to cancel some dinner plans we had with some friends (might I add that we had worked hard to actually find a time that worked into our two families' busy schedules).  I had to skip Bible Study and church.  I had to stay home from work and get a substitute.

All of my plans had gone out the window.  I was reminded though this past week that while planning isn't bad, I need to be willing and flexible for however the Lord may change my plans.  His way is perfect.

One of His perfect plans for me this week that I saw first hand was in the choice of my husband.  He was such a great help this week, and a great blessing.  This man would go to school to get things ready for the sub.  He ran to the grocery store more times than I care to count for all the foods you need when sick, but we did not have.  He rented a movie very much with my interests in mind.  He sat with me on the couch for hours on end.  He did dishes.  He fixed food.  My mister is amazing, and I am beyond thankful to the Lord for giving him to me.

Now here's to a planning this week, with the understanding that it is God who establishes my steps.