Choose to look at the bright side

You can choose to look at the dark

But why?

Practice praise, it ushers you into the presence of God

Choose to look at the bright side…

My dog looked over her shoulder expecting to be flattened at any moment. Despite her angst, I couldn’t suppress the corners of my mouth as they spread upward.

The growing stubble on my Aussie’s hind quarter nearly hides the scar where her hip was pinned. To promote healing, she is supposed to walk every day and she seems to know it. With her nose to the door she whines. I think she is getting restless, trust me, I understand.

Psalm 23:2, “He maketh me to lie down…” KJV

I ALMOST FORGOT

There was a sliver of light on the horizon when it dawned me, if I didn’t get the trash can to the street before morning it would be too late. It was also recycle day. Since my dog still has to be on a leash and I don’t have three arms, I tied her leash to my belt loop. Just so you have the whole picture,  I wore a ball cap, glasses, no make-up, house shoes and a dog tethered to my jeans while I balanced two large green canisters on wheels.

Ecclesiastes 3:4, “A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” HCSB

TIME TO TAKE OUT THE TRASH

Normally my fur baby walks beside me on her short leash, but the rumble of plastic wheels on pavement coupled with the image of green giants bearing down caused more than a little concern. What a sight for the neighbors to see! At least I wasn’t dancing in a linen ephod, but if I had one don’t put it past me.

2 Samuel 6:14, “And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod.” ESV

GOTTA LOVE THY NEIGHBOR

Thankfully I didn’t see anyone, nor did anyone hear me giggle as I watched my poor dog shake in her fur. As I thought about the whole scenario, I was overwhelmed with gratitude.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” NKJV

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE 

You see a year ago, I was too weak to walk to the end of the driveway, much less manage two trash cans and one anxious canine. When I rode my bicycle 100 miles a week, I took walking for granted. My perspective is different now.

What about you? Are you struggling to find reasons to be thankful? Open your eyes and look around. Today I am thankful I can walk and drive my car. Last year my boots were too heavy for me to walk through house and now I can wear them out in public and that’s really a blessing because I have some awesome boots. I am especially grateful my happiness does not depend on my circumstances. My joy comes from the Lord. I am thankful for my friends, church, family and neighbors who help me. My smile enlarged as I recalled my neighbor towing the green cans for me when I couldn’t. She wore some pretty cute wedges. Yeah, shoes are a big deal.

1 Timothy 6:6-8, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” NIV

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

Sometimes when I sat limp in a recliner, I felt like I was standing on edge of a dark cliff. To combat despair, I literally counted my blessings. I listed them in a notebook and spoke them out loud. Soon my attitude changed from one of self-pity to one of gratefulness. It helped me realize how truly blessed my life has been and it brought me into the presence of the Lord.

Psalm 100:4, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.” NASB

I’LL ADMIT

There are certainly situations where it is hard to see the silver lining. Do it anyway. Sometimes it’s hard to even pray. Do it anyway. It helps me to personalize the Lord’s prayer.

• Acknowledge God
• Pray “Thy will be done”
• Ask for provision
• Ask for forgiveness
• Forgive others
• Ask for guidance and protection
• Praise Him!

Hebrews 13:15, “Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.” NLT

DOES THERE HAVE TO BE A BRIGHT SIDE?

No, that’s your choice. You can focus on the dark side if you want. But why? I guarantee, if you look for the silver lining, you will find it. So whatever you do, laugh and keep your dog on a short leash, especially if she’s broken.

Thanks for reading.

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