19 | October | 2016 | Susie Stewart

This morning when I woke up

I had a choice

Either to be grateful

or not

And sadly, I chose not

You see, I was bothered

by this

and that

And this person

and that person

And this hurt

and that was sore

and

Until I got to the point

where I realized

that the joy was just gone

out of my day

My prideful

ungrateful

entitled

attitude

was not at all

what I wanted

or what God wanted

And one would think

that I was really

stuck

right there in myself

But with God

you never have to be stuck

What a beautiful thing

And I set my mind

on things to be grateful for

I thanked God

for this

and for that

and more

And my self-pity

dissipated

God’s Spirit

could communicate with me

For I was no longer road-blocking

Spirit whispers

with a hand up

shutting out joy

A heart of gratitude

and a heart of hope

is always stronger

than the heart

that tries to protect itself

An open heart of joy

is strengthened by Almighty God

to weather this world

and to stand in contentment

Gratitude

effects

fortitude

effects

courage

effects

hope

– Susie Stewart

And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

– Colossians 3:15 (NLT)

The secret of contentment is the realization that life is a gift, not a right.

– Author Unknown

He might live a thousand years twice over but still not find contentment….

– Ecclesiastes 6:6 (NLT)

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

– Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT)

Photo by Susie Stewart

I found writing

all man-scribbled

on the white board

And it took me a moment

to figure it out

Husband had jotted

the names of our neighbors

Those on one side of our house

and the other side

and across the street

And it made me smile

A deliberate action

to know people

To honor his neighbors

and remember their names

And it is further evidence

to me

of a man after God’s own heart

Loving the Lord

and loving people

And I am thankful

– Susie Stewart

Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

– Matthew 22:37-40 (NLT)

Don’t seek revenge or carry a grudge against any of your people. Love your neighbor as yourself. I am God.

– Leviticus 19:18 (MSG)

Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.

– Romans 13:8-10 (NLT)

Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.

– Romans 15:2 (NIV)

I’ve searched the land and found this David, son of Jesse. He’s a man whose heart beats to my heart, a man who will do what I tell him.

– Acts 13:22 (MSG)

Photo by Susie Stewart