Gotta Love That Correction

So, my New Years resolution is trust and thanksgiving.  Trust brings peace, thankfulness brings joy.  Well, I've been doing pretty good so far, slipping up here and there, but my overall attitude has been better and I've definitely been experiencing more peace and contentment than in the past.  A couple of days last week though, I felt myself falling into the same old habits...and not just complaining inside my head (which I think is where the majority of our complaining goes on long before it ever comes out of our mouths), but my overall attitude  was complainy and disagreeable.  There was the sighing when things go wrong, the oh woe is me, nothing works easily, waa waa waa body movements and mindset that epitomizes a ungrateful and whiny lifestyle. 

So on  the first day of this attitude down turn, I get into the car and one of my favorite songs was on.  "So Will I" by Hilltop Worship.  I knew it was God reminding me to be grateful in a way that blessed me and made my heart smile and sing.  A gentle nudge and loving touch from a dear Father to step back on the right road. 

So that worked for the rest of the day.  Next day though, I veered right back off that give thanks road onto the complaining highway.  I was feeling overwhelmed with the to do list that was running through my head and getting more weighed down by the hour....so the grumbling commenced.  And this time the correction wasn't so gentle.  Funny, when I think about it, that statement, about the complaining highway that kind of just sums it up.  The thankful, peaceful road the Lord would have us on is calm, slow and steady, His pace....but when we start speeding up our lives, over filling them with lengthy to dos and unattainable expectations, it's like being on a fast moving highway where we get overwhelmed and can't keep up.  Interesting analogy.

So again I get into the car to go to work (a perfect place to bring my rotten attitude and join with the other grouchy people and compare complaints!), turning on the radio as I do so.  The radio was tuned to a Christian teaching station and as soon I turned it on, the teacher was saying things like...."You're complaining because you are overwhelmed."  "You are being complainy and nitpicky!"  On and on it went in this vein.  Ouch!  Complainy and nitpicky!  Did I really want to be called that by the same loving Father of yesterday's gentle correction!?!? 

No.  But I needed it.  And quite frankly, it made me chuckle.  God was so direct in His correction.  And just the way He went about it, so on point and so needed and so timely, it made me laugh out loud.  A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength.  Proverbs 17:22  My Father knew just the remedy I needed!  I think only God can make us glad while bringing correction. 

For the most part, I am back on track and heading in the right direction.  Yaay.  But I know when I start to falter, the Lord will lift me up and get me going again.  He loves His child so very much. 

Lord, thank You.  You make me smile and help me grow all at the same time.  I know You want each one of us to keep step with You and stay the course You've laid out for us.  Thank You for correction, be it a soft touch or a loud and clear shout....You know exactly what we need.  You are amazing.  I sit in Your peace and just feel the gift of Your contentment.  What a wonderful Father we have. 

Is God trying to reach you with His correction?  Ask for a listening heart.