Sunday, March 22

Psalm 107: 1-3, 17-22

Many years ago, when I was a harried mother with three school aged children, a husband, a house and a yard to take care of and a part time job, I had the wonderful fortune to meet Bill Wingstrom, a retired Methodist Minister who was leading a new Sunday School class. He based the class on a book that was new at the time titled “Simple Abundance” by Sarah Ban Breathnach. Our homework assignment, besides readings from the book, was to start a journal listing ten things a day that we were grateful for. At the time, it was hard for me to do because I was so used to concentrating on the negatives in my life. I focused on all the work I had to do and how tired I was. I was often angry or feeling sorry for myself. Being forced to come up with that list every day was a turning point in my life. Each night the list got longer and longer and I began to realize just how very lucky I was. My prayers went from asking God to change things in my life to thanking him for all of his many blessings. Before long I found myself much less stressed and much happier. As the years have gone by, this thankful attitude has sustained me and filled my heart with joy.

Psalm 107:21-22 “Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to humankind.
And let the offer thanksgiving sacrifices, and tell of his deeds
with songs of joy.”