I found myself alone in the car today. I was feeling a little sorry for myself-Stressed at the first week chaos of homeschooling and all the little things that come up in life. I won’t lie, there were tears. Oh poor me tears. Self consuming tears. Selfish, life isn’t fair tears. But then, something funny happened. God showed up in a song and it changed my heart. A song I’ve heard a hundred times, but today the words came to life.
It got me thinking about how very blessed we are to live in a country where we are free (for now) to share our thoughts and opinions, to disagree, to think freely, to dress as we please, to go where we please, to eat what we please and to worship our God freely and openly without fear. This is normal life to us. We don’t really appreciate these freedoms until we are reminded that life isn’t so everywhere else.
I know many friends who came here seeking a safe place to lay their heads. Coming from places so volatile that all they can mutter about it is that they are blessed to be here. Perspective is the greatest humbler. So I will shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth (Psalm 100:1) and I will do it without fear, for I am a blessed American woman! Here is the song that changed my attitude http://youtu.be/_MbcYyOsF50
A prayer for you:
Thank you God for blessing me with being a woman, wife, and mother here in America. Thank you for the blessing of clean water, abundant food, education, and medicine regardless of money. Thank you God for the freedom to worship you wherever and whenever we choose- free from persecution. Lord, I pray for the people who live oppressed persecuted lives. For the people who live in fear and without hope. Lord, somehow someway touch them and deliver them from the bondage. With praise and thanksgiving to you, my mighty, loving King.
How is God working in your life? I would love to know.
~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~
Rebecca
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.....and a sprinkle of love 
SUCH a good reminder! We are blessed! I love that song by the way 🙂
Have you read the book, One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp?
You can read my book review here: http://wateringcanblog.com/2013/03/18/book-review-a-thousand-giftsgiveaway/
I highly recommend it! Hold your head high, Mama! You have the greatest and hardest job in the world!
I LOVE her and I just finished her book back in June. Thanks for the sweet words of encouragement, it really blessed my heart!
Thanks for this awesome reminder. We do NOT have to succumb to the negative thoughts and feelings when they come. Worship is a weapon and we should use it often. I had a similar experience, this morning, when I engaged in a unhealthy conversation that threatened to ruin the rest of my day. It hurt but, just as I was about to decide to let it filter into the rest of my day’s activities, I remembered that I did not have to let my attitude go sour. So, I turned on one of my favorite worship songs, threw my hands up and began to thank God for His goodness. The heaviness that was threatening to choke the life out of my day lifted and I had a great day going forward. Sometimes we just have to choose to keep a good attitude! Be encouraged!