How to Give Thanks During a Stressful Time

I had a stressful week....actually month. Between chipping my tooth, getting a $400 electric bill, Pouncer with his diabetes then running away, brakes on my car needing to be replaced, and then issues with Chloe I just wanted to run away. After the storm calmed down I sat and tried to figure out what good came out of all of this. What it comes down to is that I realized how much people really care for me. So what if I look like I belong at the Q-Mart? LOL! My tooth will be fixed on the 14th of October.

On Agape's CD there is a song called Rejoice. Near the end of the song he sings, "Let us give thanks in all circumstances." When you feel like the world is crashing down on you, how do you give thanks? Taking some alone time, I prayed. I prayed that God helped me think of what I have to be thankful for during all this mess. I analyzed each situation: I didn't care for my left front tooth all that much so maybe chipping it and getting it re-done will make it look better? My electric bill just pushes me to look for a better building even more....which will help with location. It also pushed Erika and I on to getting eclectic turned off on the circuit breaker that we were not using. Pouncer....well I learned that I CAN give shots and take care of something I care about even if it means learning to do something I never thought I could. Him running away made me realize how many people care about Pounce and me. I think all of Hellertown was searching for him. Plus it made me realize even more how much Shawn cares for me. The entire day he walked up and down the alley behind the store, calling Pounce, talking to everyone he saw outside, walking the creek.....doing all he could to find my cat. He was supposed to be working but could not focus on anything with me being so upset. Jen R and Erika were as equally upset as I which showed their care and concern towards me.

Chloe's illness made me realize that I do have people who recognize all I do for them. The Center for Animal Health and Welfare offered to take care of Chloe so that I would not encounter a huge vet bill. The Center does not take any animals outside of the shelter for vet visits or surgery. But because they recognize all I do for them, they want me to bring all of my pets there from now on. It makes me feel appreciated. Not everyone gets to see how much we do for others and that is ok. Most of the time I like it when I am not recognized and can stay behind the scenes. Never would I expect anything in return, this is not why I do what I do.

What it comes down to is that God has surrounded me with amazing people. He makes sure that I know I am not alone in any situation. He gave me friends that feel my sadness and hold my hand during tough situations. They also cheer me on and celebrate with me the happy times. God gave me Shawn who never gives up and keeps me motivated to keep going. He had so much faith that we would find Pouncer and kept telling me that he was not giving up until we did. Shawn showed me that I am the most important thing to him and that when I am sad, his heart is heavy. My family was all praying for us, neighbors were praying, Makenna's teachers were praying, and finding Pouncer just shows me that prayers ARE answered. The more people who pray about the same thing, the faster the prayer is answered. Thank you to everyone who prayed for Pouncers return and for me and my kids.

I am so blessed to have many people that I can lean on. They are strong when I am weak. I am so thankful that God has enabled me to find the good in these situations. My jeeps brakes, well I was not ever in an accident and now my brakes work better than ever. So I am thankful for new brakes and that God kept me safe when they were not working. And thanks to my dad, I did not have to pay a mechanic to fix them. Focus on the good. That is all I can say. I have a roof over my head, food in my fridge, a jeep to drive, clothes to wear, healthy kids, I am healthy,  I have a job, I have an over abundance of friends, I have an amazing relationship with Shawn, my pets love me unconditionally, I can see, I can hear, I can speak, I can run....I am free, I am beautiful and I am very much loved by many. Praise the Lord.

The other things I am thankful for today:
My time at The Center with my friends and my youth group
Birdy
Squeaky
Ramona
Alice
Hettie
and all my other favorite furry kitty friends
the power of prayer
money
time
the rain
the sunshine
yodels
painted toes
sleep
laughter
love
hope
faith
knowing my treasures await for me in Heaven and that no earthly treasures will be as wonderful.
blue and purple
support
confidence
non-judgemental people
Agape
the quote: Keep your nose out of people's business or their business will stay on your nose. ~The Power
inspirations
creativity
a heart full of love
God