I'm afraid I haven't had a very thankful heart this Thursday. In fact, this afternoon found me compiling a dark list of grievances in my mind.... (Remember this is a No Whining blog.) Anyway, as I walked two blocks back (after disembarking at the wrong bus stop; and hitting my, by Asian standards, tall head on the exit doorframe), to the "Fakea" furniture store; I worked on my list.... Aches & pains and closed banks and being called a foreigner on sight... and why do we have to live here, again.... Okay, this is going downhill. As I walked and grumbled and grumbled and walked; a whiff of something wonderful and sweet tantalized my nostrils. In that instant my heart felt soothed and a tiny shoot of joy sprang up. I wish I could say this lovely fragrance transformed my entire outlook. It did not. But at least it reminded me there are things pure and pleasant and beautiful out there in this less than perfect world (if I look for them). For this truth and the day's unexpected gift, I am thankful.
You can find some genuine heartfelt thanks
here at
Rhondi's Rose Colored Glasses. I don't think I will link up this week.
I'm afraid I haven't had a very thankful heart this Thursday. In fact, this afternoon found me compiling a dark list of grievances in my mind.... (Remember this is a No Whining blog.) Anyway, as I walked two blocks back (after disembarking at the wrong bus stop; and hitting my, by Asian standards, tall head on the exit doorframe), to the "Fakea" furniture store; I worked on my list.... Aches & pains and closed banks and being called a foreigner on sight... and why do we have to live here, again.... Okay, this is going downhill. As I walked and grumbled and grumbled and walked; a whiff of something wonderful and sweet tantalized my nostrils. In that instant my heart felt soothed and a tiny shoot of joy sprang up. I wish I could say this lovely fragrance transformed my entire outlook. It did not. But at least it reminded me there are things pure and pleasant and beautiful out there in this less than perfect world (if I look for them). For this truth and the day's unexpected gift, I am thankful.
You can find some genuine heartfelt thanks here at Rhondi's Rose Colored Glasses. I don't think I will link up this week.
Sorry you had a bad day!~ You ended it with happy thoughts indeed! Have a better day tomorrow:)
ReplyDeleteOh Steph, at least you blogged a Thankful Thursday today (I did not), and a positive one too as you reminded us our thankful things are life's little pleasures among the thorns in life. Thanks for sharing your story as it brings things into perspective. xo,
ReplyDeletePs. I like your new header
ReplyDeleteWell, kiddo!! YES you should link up!! Everyone needs to be reminded that when we are going through what we consider a bad day there is always something to be thankful for. I was reading Esther in my devotions and saw a cool providence on what was a bad day. The day the edict was written to steal, to kill, to destroy all of the Jews was the 13th day of Nisan. The edict would have started to be sent out on the 14th day of Nisan...and the actual orders were to be carried out on the 12th month. BUT what was really amazing was the 14th day of Nisan was Passover. The command to kill started to spread on that day. The Jews would be remembering their great deliverance of the past and this would instill hope for another one.
ReplyDeleteAny ways!! DO LINK UP!! If you haven't yet!! I just did mine (late!).My list is not on my nannykim blog but on my spindlecottage blog here: http://spindlecottage.blogspot.com
isn't it amazing how powerful scent is?
ReplyDeleteisn't it sweet of the Lord to so gently nudge
you back?
Sorry Steph, but it's life! We have our ups and downs, but we always get over it..Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThanks dear blog friends. You encourage me so much!
ReplyDeleteYou were just telling it like it is, and some times "is" is overrated!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post. I worry about these bloggers that are always having a great day, all energy and sweetness....I mean, if they made a pill that made you feel that good...okay, JK
Anyway, thanks for stopping by. I have been a little neglectful the last couple of days. All I want to do is sleep.;-)
Steph,
ReplyDeleteYou were right I am doing the Beth Moore workbook by myself--not doing the video since they cost 5 dollars apiece to view online. But it is still good ;-) .
Hi Steph!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for stopping by over at my place & yr lovely comment! Am very busy right now with travel, assignments & deadlines etc. :o( So won't unfortunately be able to pop back soon to yr great blog but, when I can, I'll read through yr earlier posts! Love this one - so with you there!
Have a lovely weekend!
XOXO LOLA:)
Oh Steph,
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in Asia, I was forever having difficult days. I would order a Christmas tree and get a pizza. Finally, five years later I had learned to just go with the flow. But honestly, it requires so much patience to live in a foreign country. I sympathize completely. I got angry allot when we lived in Hong Kong. On day I went to buy my daughter a bicycle in Wing On. It was pouring rain, I mean forget about raining cats and dogs, it was raining horses and elephants. Well, I bought the bike, struggled up an escalator, out into the street, hailed a taxi and was on my way home. I was drenched, dreaming about how easy it would have been at home popping that bike in my SUV.
Being thankful always defuses my impatience. Here's to lots of lovely fragrances to punctuate your day.
Karen
Sometimes we ll need to vent and whacking ones head is enough to make one do it! I should know, I whacked mine yesterday and was not at all thrilled. I hope the weekend goes much smoother for you and there are many more wonderful smells and beautiful flowers in your future!
ReplyDeletefinding something to be thankful for ... when you are surrounded by annoyances and difficulties is such a good thing ... it's that little ray of sunshine through a dark and cloudy sky that keeps us all going. Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeletefound your blog via another.
ReplyDeletesmelling the flowers: maybe just a little *God moment* when He assures you everyone and everything gives a fragrance. will it be sweet or a stink?
yay for some sunshine and some sweet scents sent your way! God is good!
ReplyDeleteBlessings & Aloha!
we all have these days Steph......dont get to down on yourself........I am glad you got to smell the flowers! I bet they were there just for you!
ReplyDelete