Once during another ICU/ hospital stay (this time for blood clots in my lungs)I decided to adjust my attitude a bit. I was determined to be productive and thankful for being where I was and alive. There was a difference in not only my recovery but those people around me. (My doctor was amazed to find me sitting up in ICU cross-stitching, a sight he’d never seen before.) Today, before I headed down the “oh me, oh my” street I decided to make a list of weird things I’ve decided I need to be grateful for instead of miserable over.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” Psalm 107:1 N.I.V.
Really lousy customer service: God is good but the rest of us usually need a while to confess all the times in a day we aren’t 
good! Or thankful. Or humble. Or even mindful that the world doesn’t revolve around us. So even though I’m not receiving even the semblance of good customer service from a managed mental health service I am GRATEFUL for the bad service. Why?
- It helps me have more sympathy for those who struggle without adequate health insurance that covers mental health diagnosis if it covers them at all.
- It makes me more aware that mental health issues continue to carry a stigma that allow even large insurance companies to “loophole” their way out of fulfilling their obligations unless someone steps up and speaks up.
“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with
joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.” Psalm 30:11-12 N.I.V.
Bedpans, cheap toilet paper and all things lousy with personal hygiene: Yes, you read that right, I said bedpans! I said cheap toilet paper! I said all things lousy with personal hygiene. Whoever invented the bedpan needed more creativity, personal experience or something!!! Enough said! WHY am I grateful? For without them I wouldn’t be grateful…
- …for the invention of indoor plumbing and all its accessories!
- …for learning what wood shingles should NOT be used for.
- …for understanding why they call it paper!
- …for people who smell good, bathe regularly, brush their teeth, comb their hair and cover those parts of the body that should be treated with respect!
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15 N.I.V.
Algebra and all “higher” maths: When it comes to “every day” math, accounting, financial spreadsheets, cost analysis I’m your woman! Just leave the alphabet out of it! My brother is the “math guru” of our family. Today I’m going to be grateful for these higher planes of mathematical wonder (even the new new math) because…
- They keep me humble!
- It gives my brother a reason to be on speed dial when school is in session.
- I love words and although numbers and letters together don’t normally make words the new digital/technological world is marrying the two in new ways. It’s just 2much!
- It gives me an appreciation for absolutes.
“I thank my God every time I remember you.” Philippians 1:3 N.I.V.
Bad bosses/supervisors and illogical company decisions: Yes, today instead of wondering if someone has taken over management’s brains I’m going to be thankful for the bad bosses I’ve had, supervisors who lacked understanding and management and boards who appear to be from different worlds than the rest of us. How come?
- The best lessons I’ve learned about being a good supervisor/boss have come from learning what NOT to do in this role!
- Sometimes I have to admit I don’t see the “full picture” and that hey, as wrong as I may think they are, maybe management really does have a good reason for a decision I think is nutty.
- It helps me remember God allows U turns.
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29 N.I.V.
Crowds: I am not a “crowd” person. A gathering of more than ten people makes me edgy, especially people I don’t know. I’ve been known to have a panic attack trying to get through Wal-Mart and once I had to leave nearly a shopping cart full of groceries in the aisle and just walk out before I began to scream insanely. Yet, today I’m grateful because…
- My family and I attend a church fellowship that is large and I feel at home among them. So much so that on the first day I walked in the doors I felt as if it were a homecoming. I’ve never had a panic attack worshipping God in any size gathering!
- Larger gatherings mean more opportunities to strike up a conversation with someone about Jesus and hear amazing testimonies to the way God works in lives today.
- They make me far more appreciative of my “alone” time and being able to “hide away” in my snug little house.
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18 (N.I.V.)
Oppressive heat with high humidity: So it makes my thin hair even limper and wimpier looking! Guess what? I’m super thankful –
- …because I am appreciative of whoever invented air conditioning…
- …being able to pay the electric bill to keep the power on and the air conditioner humming…
- …because I get a facial every time I am outside and it saves me time and money…
- …at least outside I’m not saying, “I’m cold!” whereas the medicine I am on thins my blood so I stay cold most of the time indoors year round!
This is certainly not an all-inclusive list but it got my wheels turning toward being a bit more grateful. So what’s a weird, strange, “bad” thing you’re grateful for today and why?
“Let the peace if Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 N.I.V.
“I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.” Psalm 7:17 N.I.V.
“I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you.” Psalm 35:18 N.I.V.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Psalm 100:4 N.I.V.
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