Today is the fifth day this week that we have experience sub-zero temperatures.  There are snow drifts in our roads and blowing snow.  It’s not a good time to get out.  It hasn’t been a good time to get out for several days.  While I am normally prone to cabin fever during such times, right now, I am so thankful that I don’t have to worry about slick roads and dangerous temperatures.  Eventually–maybe even in just a few days, the temperatures will warm up a bit and the snow will melt, and I will be able to get around  much easier.  My days and weeks will be busy when school starts back up next week, and the weekends will be crammed with errands and socializing.  I will probably get a little overwhelmed–maybe a little stressed out.  I will think…Wouldn’t it be nice to just have a day or two at home without a bunch of things I had to do?

And, maybe I’ll remember this housebound week in January.  A week of reading, napping, and quiet…time to take long baths, time to bake, time to play with the puppy…time to clean the house without rushing even…This slower paced life will not last forever, but for the time being, I am choosing to see it as a gift– a gift of time, and a gift of relaxation.  There are so many small things that come with the blessing of being at home that I never noticed before–the time to watch all of the news, time to make anything at all for supper, time to exercise to a DVD, time to read.

If you are at home today, whether by choice or chance, I hope you find joy there and are able to create your own pace as you make your rounds in the house.  If you are like me, and sometimes see this blessing of being home, as being stuck, it helps me to make lists of little things I want or need to do each day.  I try to make sure that I am getting at least one thing accomplished that I really need to do (like exercise or balance the bank statement, etc.) and at least one thing that I want to do that will be fun (like read a good book, or try a new recipe).  Of course, I do more than two things in a day, but it helps just to have some priorities set up as you move through the day.   I think one of the pitfalls of being home is that I can take on this attitude of “I’ve got all day” and end up dilly-dallying and not getting as much done because there seems to be so much time.

Enjoy this day and the gifts it offers!

I have been struggling with stress and worry this week, and I shouldn’t be–don’t tell my colleagues, but I have been working about a week ahead of schedule all semester, and I’m in pretty good shape.  So, what is the source of my stress?  After a few moments of contemplation on the couch, while listening to Scout the puppy’s soft snores, I am convinced that the source  is the fact that I am not living in today.  I am living in the two and half weeks after Christmas in which I fear I will be overwhelmed with spring class planning, and fulfilling the demands of a contract to create and deliver a new course by February 1st.  I am reminded of the quote–maybe you have seen a version of it?

Worrying about tomorrow doesn’t solve any problems

it only robs today of its strength.

I want my today to be strong–that’s all I’ve got to work with right now–to enjoy, to appreciate, to bless, and be blessed.  Praise God for this day called today.  I am pulling my emotions back to this moment–I cannot live in the future any more than I can live in the past.

My favorite method of refocusing is by giving thanks for the special blessings of today.  Here goes:

• I am thankful to live fairly close to all of my family and to be able to stay in touch with them via email, texting and phone calls.
• I am thankful for a thoughtful husband.
• I am thankful for safe travel to and from work.
• I am thankful for Christmas lights and Christmas music and sugar cookies!
• I am thankful for rediscovering all of my favorite sweaters.
• I am thankful for the sounds of home–the hum of the heater, the click of my fingers on the keyboard, and again, Scout’s snoring.
• I am thankful for my Heavenly Father, who hems me in on all sides–going before, beside and behind–what a comfort!
• I am thankful for good books and the ability to read, and the time to read.
• I am thankful for all of the lovely, upbeat people that I work with.
• I am thankful for my coffee maker!
• I am thankful for the beauty of changing seasons.
• I am thankful for my little mini Christmas tree and for the little Snowman who sings “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas” when you squeeze his hand.

Let me emphasize to myself and to you–today is precious. Absolutely priceless.  We have got to train ourselves to savor and enjoy the moments we’re given.  That’s what gives today its strength.

Recently, my friend Amy at My Sweet Life posted about bringing glory to God in everything and reminded us of the verse in Colassians 3, verse 23:

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.

     Well, I know a woman who lives out this verse in a way that blesses me!  I have such a long commute to work, and I drive through several tiny towns, so I have my choice of gas stations when I need to refill my car.  A couple of weeks ago, a new lady began working as the cashier at one of the gas stations. 

     What does she do?  She blesses everyone.  Last night, as I was leaving, she said “God bless you, tonight.”   I thought, Wow, I needed that.  When I am driving home through deer-infested woods in the dark, I am grateful for a blessing.  I have noticed this woman verbally blessing every patron that comes in the store.  It doesn’t matter what they are buying.  It doesn’t matter how they respond.  It doesn’t matter how they are dressed.  She simply punctuates every exchange with a genuine blessing.

     Maybe this woman stands out to me partly because she is such a breath of fresh air compared to many who are discouraged and disheartened by service industry jobs, and are less than cheery to people.  Well, if we’re Christians, we are all in the service industry! 

     I know it’s probably not my thing to verbally bless everyone I come into contact with during my day–but, I can smile at them or offer of a ten-second prayer for that person.  There are many ways to glorify God in every little thing we do.

     Taking time to give thanks or count your blessings makes you feel more grateful and satisfied with life.  I find this is especially helpful on days that were just so-so.  When I take a moment to reflect on all of the things that went right, I gain a much more positive perspective. 

     Normally, I am not a person who “hates Mondays,” but lately they have been hard.  Since I am teaching summer school, when I start the week, I feel like I am jumping on a very fast roller coaster with limited time to toss out the information and gather what comes back (essays) before sending them out again (graded).  That probably didn’t make a lot of sense to anyone who doesn’t teach, so I will just share my little gratitude list for June 29, 2009.  One more note, I got started keeping a Gratitude Journal after reading Sarah Ban Breachnacht’s Simple Abundance many years back.  The habit stuck and I save them all.  It’s fun to look back on this date last year and see what was on my gratidude list.

June 29, 2009

• Waking up with my loving husband
• The clawfoot tub & bubble baths
• Fresh coffee
• Summery dresses and sandals
• That God is keeping my car running–217,000 miles & still going!
• Pleasant co-workers
• My students–they are a likable bunch even on a Monday morning.
• Air conditioning!
• Getting all of my students’ papers graded and giving good feedback.
• All of the people who called to check on me after my little health episode on Saturday.
• 3/4 sleeved sweaters
• ceiling fans
• Diet 7-up
• Cold water
• Seeing some of my bulbs bloom
• Fourth of July weekend coming!

     I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea.  I hope my little list inspires you to make one of your own.  Blessings to you on a Monday night.