I started writing Friday Favorite Things in the weeks following Samuel’s Celiac Disease diagnosis. These simple posts were a way for me to force myself to look for good things in the middle of life. I’ve been writing them for two years now, and they have proven to be a beautiful written record of gratitude. And honestly, practicing gratitude has changed my life. I’ve become more aware of the little things, more positive, and honestly more grateful for each day I’m blessed to live.
It’s interesting how the difficult moments in life can teach us about life. It opened my eyes to real importants and made me aware of how often I was looking over the little things in life. Little things that I write about – the toddler’s peanut butter and jelly smile at you, little tags made just for mom on Valentine’s Day {see mine in the pic from Caleb below}, coffee brewing in the morning, snow falling and coating the trees with a thick layer of beauty, time spent on the couch watching television with your teenagers, the smell of dinner when you walk in the door – all simple, easy to take for granted, stuck to your sweatshirt with masking tape moments in life.
I’ve learned to not only savor those moments, but to also actively seek out those moments. It’s about slowing down and looking at your days, your life, even in the truly tough times. Sometimes, those hard moments in life bring beautiful rewards that we never thought possible. And some that honestly never cross our minds. Before Samuel was diagnosed with Celiac Disease I barely knew about gluten free living or even celiac disease. But now, here I am two years and some weeks later, a passionate voice for Celiac Disease Awareness. And not only that, I’ve become a really proud leader on the Udi’s Gluten Free Community Boards because I consider it a blessing to be a voice of awareness. {find me over there – Udi’s Gluten Free Community Boards}
In fact, just a couple weeks ago at the BEECH Retreat I had the opportunity to introduce Udi’s Gluten Free as a Lunch Partner of the event. In the introduction I shared a bit of my story and Samuel’s story – including how I didn’t even know what Udi’s was – and in the midst of it I began to cry. It was a cry of gratitude. It was a cry of thanks for a company – and the lovely people who are part of it – for providing “normal” for my family. I appreciate them greatly. So, in the midst of difficulty it brought forth a blessing for my family and great food for my sweet Samuel.
Today, I encourage you to take five minutes and sit with a piece of paper, or your journal, or in front of a computer screen, and sit there and write down your blessings. Don’t question if they’re legit. Remember, I cried over gluten free bread. A blessing is a blessing is a blessing. All of ours look different, but that is the beauty of finding joy in the little things. You see the joy moments in your life often are unique to you. Would all of you cry over introducing an amazing gluten free company? Probably not. But, I did. And I did because in my life they matter and make a difference. And I love being a voice for Udi’s, Celiac Disease, and gluten free living. Especially for parents with children that walk this road. So yours will be unique and beautiful to you.
For instance, that picture below? That’s the beautiful Minnesota countryside. I took that yesterday, and to you it might just look cold or lovely or like another snow picture. But, for me, it represents a moment in time – a moment where my oldest daughter and I decided to run and get coffee and then on the way back I took a country road that I love. And we laughed, looked at the snow, and enjoyed each other. So that picture reminds me of that moment – and for that I’m grateful.
Write yours down. Make it a habit to take time each week to simply record moments in your life that you are grateful for. Gratitude can change your life – it may not change the circumstances but it will change your response and how you see the world. My friend, you will be blessed.
What are you grateful for today?
If you’d like to join the Friday Favorite things link up: write yours, grab the button, and link below. This is week 102 – being intentional, loving the little things, and finding joy.
9 comments
Thanks for your encouragement at BEECH chat last night. I stepped out of my comfort zone with my post today and was very real with my readers. Amazing how people relate to you when you are 100% honest. I am so inspired by your posts. Thank you for continually blessing us!
I loved this post today. Thanks, Rachel.
–Gena
I am grateful for your blog in my inbox. I have the stomach flu, but its given me the time to do a lot of thinking, and I am thankful for that.
I am grateful that my family made my pukey Valentine’s Day really special.I am grateful for hugs from my kindergartner, and that my 3rd grader still will hold hands with me in the parking lot 🙂
I have cried over GF Udi’s bread as well. Not the same tears as yours as we have very different gf paths, but I have cried. Also in the soup aisle when I first went gf 10 years ago,before evrything was labeled better, and was giving up that all food contained gluten(at least everything that I wanted to eat) so I would live on soup and found most prepackaged soups contained gluten. Yes. I cried.
I have cried over GF Udi’s bread as well. Not the same tears as yours as we have very different gf paths, but I have cried. Also in the soup aisle when I first went gf 10 years ago,before evrything was labeled better, and was giving up that all food contained gluten(at least everything that I wanted to eat) so I would live on soup and found most prepackaged soups contained gluten. Yes. I cried.
I am so thankful I read your blog every time. That shall I write …
I’m grateful for you!
Christ suffered in our place that we might have the hope of Heaven! Always praying!
Isaiah 53:11-12 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
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Know that the Lord is always with you, wrapping His loving arms around you and holding on tight! Praying right now!
Psalms 18:2-6 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
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You explained “Gratitude” very beautifully. I enjoyed every bit of the post. I too think little things mean so much in life. Little things like a beautiful morning, a little time spent with kids and all the other things that makes us happy are the real essence of life. So, we should all be able to acknowledge their value in creating beauty in our lives.