I’m in the homestretch of what has been an epic era of garbage living. Not that I didn’t have a lot to be grateful for in the midst of it, I did. I had a company that hired me with little to no experience when I needed a job and a place to live. They let my dog come live with me when she was without a home and finally, they treated me like family when I needed one.
In less than a month now, my son will be home from deployment — he’s been gone since the end of April and my family will reunite. So I’m thrilled. But before that happens, he has another month of pretty poor living conditions. I have to move to my new state and get my obnoxious dog there on a flight (pray for me!) I have to arrange to have my son’s truck in San Diego when he gets home, then fly the volunteers home, etc., etc.,
It’s a dangerous place to live in the future. When this happens, I will… I have always tried, in the midst of these trials to be grateful for all the blessings that God allowed me. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I love to complain, but ultimately, I am the most grateful person on the planet. My kids are healthy and successful — in that they are all doing what they want to do. Is it the close family picture I wanted? Well, no. They’re scattered all over the west living their best lives.
In the next two weeks, I have to move, buy a new car, get settled, then get to San Diego for my son’s homecoming and it all feels so overwhelming for my ADD self. That’s when I know that I have to stop. To breathe. And to be still and know…
There really is no better way to handle stress and loss than to be grateful. Write down three things every day that you are grateful for — it’s so easy to get lost in what we don’t have, when in reality, God knows exactly what we need. He’s giving us the lessons we need to make us better humans who are closer to Him. 
If you’re struggling, I encourage you to be grateful. I’ve had a difficult journey the last few years, but God was always present. He used Christians, He used non-Christians, but never did He let me fall.
Christians Read 
Exactly, Kris. We need to be thankful through the worst of it, because we know He is in the midst of it with us. How could we do it without Him?
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So glad to hear your faith is strong. He never does fail us, does He? After our longs stint with homelessness we learned that Jesus is the only one that provides when we need it most. Yes, hard times come but He is more interested in forging us in character than comfort.
Blessings to you.
Homer Les
Uncompromising Faith
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It seems so basic, but the last couple years I’ve learned how to breathe. How easy it is to dismiss or stuff our stress. So glad you’re able to breathe, be still and know, and lean on Him. Praying for you.
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The practice of listing what I am grateful for everyday has been a joy inducer in my life. I’ve been able to see the joy more often and see the God moments more clearly.
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I have been using a gratitude journal for a couple of years and I can say that it does help change our perspective. We focus on what we have instead of focusing on what we lack. I will be praying for you! ❤️
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