Pity Party for One

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petion, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."~Philippians 4: 6&7



Ever have one of those days when everything seems off?

 It started last night with a slight disagreement with my husband. Actually, it wasn't even a disagreement, it was a discussion. An adult coversation over dinner where he voiced his opinion and I voiced mine. We were respectful and kind. We listened to each others thoughts and answers but in the end we both maintained our views. Sounds very adult-like huh? I suppose it was....except....I thought about it and thought about it and thought about it. I chewed on it, tried to swallow it and then chewed it some more.  I stewed in it....I brewed in it...I let it simmer and percolate. I let it keep me awake last night and I let it affect my day, all day, today.

Once something like this starts for me, I get all caught up in it. The next thing you know, I'm totally ticked off and often tearful. Then I start to notice things that have absolutely nothing to do with the original issue. For instance, because I was frustrated and annoyed with my husband, it irritated me the way he left his dirty clothes on our bedroom floor when he went to work. And I hate the way he leaves the toilet seat up and the dirty coffee cup on the counter. I even hate the way HIS dog sheds all over MY  house!

Now since I'm in such a good mood, I should probably think about everything else that's wrong......the can of paint that leaked all over the laundry room floor, empty toilet paper roll that someone didn't replace, the incessant phone calls from politicians urging me to vote. What about the fact my girlfriend that hurt my feelings this week?  The 7 loads of laundry that need to be done and  cobwebs in every corner that need to be caught. Ugh. I am having myself a good ole fashioned PITY PARTY! No one hears me, no one understands me, no one appreciates me!

Are you tired yet? I am!!!! I've wasted a  whole day....all because my husband I had a very honest, very real, very adult discussion over dinner LAST NIGHT! This is crazy!So, I'm cancelling  the pity party !!!


Instead, I am going to choose to be grateful. I am grateful for the husband who takes the time to listen to my thoughts. Who doesn't demand that his views also be mine. I will choose to pick up those dirty clothes (and not mention it later) knowing that he was in a hurry to get to work, to provide for our family. I will be grateful we have hot coffee to start each day. I will be grateful for the companionship of the shedding dog, for her silly antics and for the laughter she brings to this house. I will choose to believe the friend didn't mean to offend me and I will be grateful for her friendship. I will be grateful for the abundance of clothes and the electric washing machine to clean them. I will try, ever so hard,  to be grateful for the political calls, knowing that we live in a country where democracy and freedom to vote is celebrated. I'm still trying to find a way to be grateful for the cobwebs :)

The bible says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus"- Philippians 4:6&7.

This was the first scripture I ever memorized. You would think by now, I would remember to lean on that truth, day in and day out.

"Do not be anxious about anything but in EVERYTHING" ......everything probably includes this little discussion with Chris? and all those other worries and woes? .....

" by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God " .......yup, here's where I messed up, I didn't pray about it, I thought and thought and thought some more, that's probably referred to as being "anxious"....

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus"  !
Well, HELLO there's what I was looking for all along. Peace. P.E.A.C.E.

Need I say more? I'm gonna grab a cup of coffee, fold the laundry  and pat the dog. I'm not sure I'll answer the phone or get to the those cobwebs though. heee heeee

Hugs
Michelle