I believe in Thankful Living.  Why?  Because Thankfulness is a state of mind.  If I’m not counting my blessings then what am I focusing on?

Dianna Kokoszka teaches us in her KW BOLD training that “What we focus on expands.”  When all we concentrate on is the problem it seems the problem gets deeper and more complex.  When we focus on solutions it seems there becomes a choice between multiple variables.

I’m not advocating a Pollyanna way of life that refuses to recognize and then navigate the challenges each person’s life presents. I am saying that at times like this when I am still healing from my daughter’s passing (Emma Lengquist) that I can either focus on what stole her away from us…or I can focus on the blessing she truly was.  Yes, I am going to go to war over how mental health is handled in this country.  That doesn’t change how thankful I am for having known Emma.

living with hope

As a Christian, I also have the following commentary.  If you do not yet believe, feel free to stop reading here.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (New American Standard)
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

This is a great verse to remember.  It is a tough verse to carry out.  And in fact, I have failed here over and over and over again.  And yet, I know that it is correct.

I don’t believe this means we cannot grieve.  And it doesn’t mean that grief is a bad thing. Grief is a perfectly normal human experience that until now I had not fully understood.

But here is the deal; I have the Hope of Christ.  The late Billy Graham said “For the believer there is hope beyond the grave, because Jesus Christ has opened the door to heaven for us by His death and resurrection.”

I’m fully cognizant that Billy Graham isn’t in the Bible.  He did come to this conclusion through these following verses;

  • 1 John 5:13-14
  • 1 Peter 1:3-6
  • Ephesians 2:8-10
  • 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
  • John 4:13-14

I’m thankful for that hope.  I’m thankful for the time I got to spend with Emma.  I’m thankful for so very much in my life.  Please, take a few moments today and count your blessings.  Focus on that and each day is changed.