chomp.

i am in the sourest of moods today.

i don't want to do anything but chomp someone's head off.

perhaps a gummy bear.

one that is smiling.
le sigh.

stay away,
my misery may be contagious.

 

poor bears. the heads are always first to go.

lately,

my devotionals 

have been mentioning

one word in particular,

PRAISE.

how can i think of THAT in a time like THIS?!?

i can think of about a million things to complain about right now

why are bulk sprinkles so hard to find? why are gift bags just as expensive as my gifts? why does my computer keep freezing? how can i be out of memory again? why are the lines at costco so long? why is nothing open when i need a bathroom? why does coffee have to stain teeth and starbucks taste so good? why is it so cold in the mornings when i get dressed and hot when i leave the house? why am i so tired in the mornings?
(probably because i'm having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. except not really.)


BUT!
Alas, lessons
I am reminded of lately

Praise God as a Sacrifice: Hebrews 13:15
(from: When Praise Becomes a Sacrifice by Greg Laurie)
The bible mentioned giving thanks to the Lord so many times! But its not conditional (such as only give thanks when you feel like it). Rather, give thanks because God is good. At moments like this, it's only out of obedience that I force myself look towards the sky and try to think of someone other than myself. Once you can see past that rain cloud and remember God made the entire sky and the sun that allows you to see the sky, or just light in general, and all the other awesome things He has done, it's rather easy for your emotions to follow. How obedient am I in times like these?

Sing Even if You Can't
(from: Sing and Give Thanks by Nancy Leigh DeMoss)
The bible mentions singing quite a bit. Rejoice. Sing. Dance. All that good stuff.
Uninhibited by your abilities and what others may think, how can you be sad/discouraged when belting out a hopeful hymn. If you are discouraged/depressed 1) Are you memorizing Scripture? 2) Are you singing to God? Music is a powerful vehicle of our gratitude. My go to song is You Are My Refuge. Too bad nobody recorded the ucb gospel choir when we sang it. Here's another group.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ5L-Xh70_I
 

Strive for Higher Levels of Thankfulness

(from: School of Gratitude by James MacDonald)Tier 3: Thanksgiving is a sacrifice. (Heb 13:15) Sound familiar? Be thankful on command.
Down? Can you think of some random things for which you are thankful?
Example: sunshine, lollipops and rainbows
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2sKH8yjVsM

Tier 2: In everything, give thanks. (1 Thess 5:18)
Deliberate but selective gratitude.
Example: I am not thankful for bees, but I am thankful for the honey they make.

Tier 1: Giving thanks to God at all times for all things. (Eph 5:20)
No matter what, God is in control and there is some purpose beyond what I can imagine.
"Thank You God for this. You are good!"


Anyways, I'm feeling much better.
 
Tonight I made my first diaper cake!
(with inspiration from Jane)


It's currently a work in progress
but I hope whoever receives it
will turn to God and give thanks.