Attitude of Gratitude - week 1

Do you read this verse and think, "be joyful ALWAYS?!".  Admittedly, I have!  But, after a little bit of soul searching, I think I might have figured this one out!

I love that the month of November causes us to pause and reflect on those things that we might otherwise take for granted.  It's a month where social media feeds are full of reasons everyone is thankful.  But, why can't we be thankful the other eleven months out of the year?  Maybe we've replaced joyful with happiness. #guiltyrighthere  Happiness is an outward expression of your current state.  Joyful, on the other hand, is the internal state of your heart.  Happy is an earthly personal experience.  Joy is based on something much deeper.  Joy is feeling spiritually connected to God and his people.

So, how can we be joyful always?  Simply - it's a choice.  It's choosing to see the good verses the bad, it's choosing to be the light and not stay in the dark, it's choosing to believe that God is good - it's choosing to be thankful - always!

Shelly and I would love if you joined us for our Attitude of Gratitude challenge.  What does that mean?  It's intentionally choosing to look for the good.  See the good, do good, BE the good!  We hope you will consider joining us each Thursday in the month of November and link up your posts on what you are thankful for.  I'm pretty sure those same things bring you joy too!  ;)

So, with an attitude of gratitude and a heart full of joy, here's a few things I'm thankful for this week!

*Daylight Savings Time - While I'm not a fan of it getting dark so early, I was super grateful for the extra hour of sleep the morning after Halloween! ;)

*text messaging (and the laughs it provides) - my friend, Katy, has a gift.  It's the gift of impeccable timing and the sending of GIFs.  Seriously, I don't know how she does it but she ALWAYS makes me laugh!

*seeing your children happy - This time last year Holden was in the midst of a crappy school year.  Her confidence was in the tank, her grades were low, and there was absolutely no joy.  Fast forward a year and the same girl is SOARING!  Her confidence is high (we joke that it might be a little too high!), her grades are improving, and she is FULL of joy!  When I saw that things weren't going to improve last year, I prayed and prayed for a team of teachers this year that would truly "get" her.  My prayers were answered and to see her smile each day when she comes home from school - well, that brings this mama lots of JOY!

*that the kids gave away (most!) of their Halloween candy - Let's just say we had a LOT of candy!  So much candy that there was no way that we would have ever eaten it all.  So, what's more fun that receiving?  Giving!!!  We joined up with some friends and took our Halloween candy up to A&M and passed it out to college kids that were studying! So.much.fun!!!  Be sure and check out Katy's post to read more about our reverse trick-or-treating!

*my parents - I'm so thankful that they come in town for Aggie football games.  My kids LOVE having them here.  Even more thankful when they stay an extra couple of days!  The kids love when they bring them lunch to school and come watch their football games!

*friends - Colby and his best friend, Dillon, go to rival schools.  I'm so grateful that their friendship is greater than any competition.  Watching these boys grow into men brings me joy (and sometimes they drive me crazy!).

*Election Day - super thankful for the right to vote!

*medicine - I've been sidelined this week with a sinus infection and am, oh, so grateful for meds!

It's not easy to "be joyful always" but, I've learned, it's always worth the effort!

What about you?  What you you grateful for?

Now it's time to link up!  The only rule we have is that you share original content and have an Attitude of Gratitude!  So grab our button and link up today!

While not required, we would love you to follow us!

Holly - While I'm Waiting

Bloglovin | Instagram | Facebook

Shelly - The Queen in Between

Bloglovin | Instagram | Facebook

An InLinkz Link-up

So THANKFUL you're here!  Gig 'em and God bless! 

Holly