Be grateful

Since I'm already on, I'll share a quip from a book I'm reading right now. Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God. It's a devotional for moms (obviously). :)

"There is no neutral space between ingratitude and gratitidue. We are either grateful or not. If complaining marks our motherhood, we can ignore the deeper truths God wants to teach us, missing those fleeting growth opportunities God places in our path. Often, his growth plan includes mother-in-law tension, rebellious children, tired husbands, dirty dishes, snippy checkout ladies, or muddy shoes on new carpet. It's in those moments, our gratitude quotient is tested. More than his presence in the difficulties, what we really desire is a stress-free life-full of supportive mother-in-laws, obedient children, helpful husbands, clean dishes, smiling checkout ladies, and muddy shoes outside on the doorstep. When God throws mountain-sized wrenches in our hope for a stress-free life, we tend to pout instead of praise."

I'd like to say I am always grateful, never complain, and always desire God's presence first and foremost in my daily life as a mom. Unfortunately, I get caught up in having things run "smooth" and therefore am disappointed, complain, or pout when they don't. I guess that's why this spoke to me today. A great reminder to be grateful!