Thankful, Grateful, and Blessed

"Thankful, Grateful, and Blessed"

That's what Melody the receptionist at my dentist’s office said every single time I would ask how she’s doing. It stuck with me and if you live or ever lived in Lakeway and went to Healthy Smiles, I know you are grinning now, because it stuck with you to or will now ;-).

As a sailor, I have plenty of opportunities to moan about circumstances—weather, timing, broken things, dog emergencies, husband emergencies, unpredictable waters. But this morning, while walking the dogs in between lightning storms, I heard clearly from God:

“It’s time to boast of My blessings. Fix your eyes on Me.”

It not only reminded me of Melody, it reminded me of a scene from The Chosen—if you're a fan, you know the one. The disciples are in a boat and then they see what they think is a ghost walking on the water. Peter calls out, “Lord, if it’s really You, call me out onto the water.”

And Jesus does. Right there in the storm. Because He’s the same now as He was then. Waiting for us to take that first faith-filled step. Still calling us out of the boat. Still extending His hand through troubled waters. Still asking: “Will you trust Me?”

On the stormy seas of life, imagine reaching out and finding a helping hand. He is calling you to trust.

So… when are you going to stop magnifying the moans and start proclaiming the blessings?

When will you celebrate what God has done instead of complaining about what hasn’t happened yet?

Try it. Try living one single day in total thankfulness. No complaints. No moaning. Just gratitude. Just thankful. Just blessed.

You might be surprised— It could change your whole day. It could shift your whole life.