Grateful

As I was typing the previous blog entry, the song "Grateful" by Hezekiah Walker popped into my head.  Some of the lyrics are:

I am grateful for the things that you have done.
Yes, I'm grateful for the victories we've won.
I could go on and on and on
About your works
Because I'm grateful, grateful, grateful just to praise you, Lord.
Flowing from my heart, are the issues of my heart, is gratefulness.

As this song played in my head, I literally began to weep.  There are times when I take criticism for my "positive" attitude. There was once a time when I felt that I needed to tone it down.  But, I have realized that the positive disposition is who I am.  It stems from my story which holds alot of things to be grateful for..some "big", some "small" but all significant.  I owe it to my God to speak life in every situation.  Because he literally gave me my life back.  Those of you who know me well, know of the few times in the past when I have been literally sick and bed ridden for months.  The last time that happened was years ago.  When I was finally able to make it to a doctor, he looked at me and said, "Sweetheart, you should not even be alive right now".  But God!.... I remember that the entire time I was laying in my bed, I would sing and pray and promise God that if he allowed me to make it through, that my life would be available to him.  He kept his promise...so, I try to keep mine.  See, I have come to realize that the things of this world, the things that society often give the most value to are not really the things that mean the most or give the greatest return.  So, excuse me if I make it a habit of finding the bright side of things or the blessings in the breaking/in the storm ....on second thought, don't excuse me because I won't apologize.  God has done too much for me not to shine, even in my darkest hours.  Don't get me wrong...I'm not saying that we should not feel adverse emotions, I am saying that we should feel them but walk in the victory of the faith that we are given.  A friend posted a status today that said "You attract to you the thoughts that you secretly harbor".  Positive thoughts attract positive things to your life.  An attitude of gratitude attracts more things to be greatful for or at the very least makes us more aware of the things that we already have to  be grateful for.  Over the past few days, I have said to several people. "it is what you make it".  It really is!  So, let's make the journey glorious and  be grateful along the way. 

I leave you with lyrics from one of my two favorite Gospel Songs:

I've got so much to thank God for
So many wonderful blessings
and so many open doors
A brand new mercy
along with each new day
That's why I praise You
and for this I give You praise

For waking me up this morning
That's why I praise You
For starting me on my way
That's why I praise You
For letting me see the sunshine
that's why I praise You
of a brand new day
A brand new mercy
along with each new day
That's why I praise You and for this
I give You praise

You're Jehovah Jhireh
That's why I praise You
You've been my Provider
That's why I praise You
You see so many times You´ve met my needs
So many times You rescued me
That's why I praise You
I want to thank You for the blessing
You give to me each day
That's why I praise You
For this I give You praise

For every mountain You brought me over
For every trial you've seen me through
For every blessing
Hallelujah, for this I give You praise